Man  of  the  Hour 


rBROADHURST 


-NRLF 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  28-30  West  38th  St.,  New  Yor' 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR 

A  Plag  In  Jfattr  Art* 


By 

GEORGE  BROADHURST 

^Revised,  1916,  by  George  H.  Broadhurst 
Copyright,  1916,  by  GEORGE  H.  BROADHURST 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVEL. 


AUTION: — All  persons  arc  hereby  warned  that 
"THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR,"  being  fully  pro 
tected  under  the  Copyright  Laws  of  the  United 
States,  is  subject  to  royalty,  and  any  one  presenting 
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vided.  Application  for  stage  rights  must  be  made 
to  SAMUEL  FRENCH. 


NEW  YORK 

SAMUEL   FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

26-30  WEST  38TH  STREET 


LONDON 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  Ltd., 

26   SOUTHAMPTON    STREET 

STRAND 


Especial  notice  should  be  taken  that  the  possession  of  this 
book  without  a  valid  contract  for  production  first  having 
been  obtained  from  the  publisher,  confers  no  ^'ght  or  license 
to  professionals  or  amateurs  to  produce  the  play  publicly  or 
in  private  for  gain  or  charity. 

In  its  present  form  this  play  is  dedicated  to  the  reading 
public  only,  and  no  performance  of  it  may  be  given  except 
by  special  arrangement  with  Samuel  French,  28-30  West  38th 
Street,  New  York. 

SECTION  28— That  any  person  who  wilfully  or  for  profit 
shall  infringe  any  copyright  secured  by  this  act,  or  who  shall 
knowingly  and  wilfully  aid  or  abet  such  infringement  shall 
be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction 
thereof  shall  be  punished  by  imprisonment  for  not  exceeding 
one  year,  or  by  a  fine  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  nor  more 
than  one  thousand  dollars,  or  both;  in  the  discretion  of  the 
court. 

Act  of  March  ^  1909, 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 


ORIGINAL  CAST. 

ALWYN  BENNETT Frederick  Perry 

CHAS.  WAIN  WRIGHT James  E.  Wilson 

SCOTT  H.  GIBBS Chas.  Mackay 

RICHARD  HORRIGAN /.  O.  LaBrasse 

JAMES  PHELAN George  Fawcett 

PERRY  CARTER  WAIN  WRIGHT.  .  .Douglas  Fairbanks 

JUDGE  NEWMAN Chas.  Stedman 

HENRY  THOMPSON Geoffrey  C.  Stein 

WM.  INGRAM Wm.  Richards 

RICHARD  P.  RORERTS Bennett  Southard 

HENRY  WILLIAMS Mark  J.  Cody 

ARTHUR  PAYNE Basil  West 

OFFICE  BOY Robt.  A.  Lothian 

DALLAS  WAINWRIGHT Lillian  Kemble 

CYNTHIA  GARRISON Diva  Marolda 

MRS.  BENNETT Harriet  Otis  Dallenbaugh 


ACT  I.      A  room  in  the  house  of  CHAS.  WAIN- 
WRIGHT. 

ACT  II.    The  Mayor's  office. 
ACT  III.  Reception  room  in  the  Charlton  Hotel. 
ACT  IV.  Two  Committee  Rooms  in  the  City  Hall. 


3 

384725 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 


CHARACTERS. 

ALWYN  BENNETT 

CHARLES  WAINWRIGHT 

TCOTT  G.  GIBBS 

RICHARD  HORIGAN 

JAMES  PHELAN 

PERRY  CARTER  WAINWRIGHT 

JUDGE  BEWMAN 

HENRY  THOMPSON 

RICHARD  P.  ROBERTS 

HENRY  WILLIAMS 

MILLS,  the  BUTLER 

ARTHUR  PAYNE 

DALLAS  WAINWRIGHT 

CYNTHIA  GARRISON 

MRS.  BENNETT 

INGRAM 

NOTE : — There  are  seventeen  speaking  parts  in  the 
play  but  it  is  so  arranged  that  it  could  be 
played  by  fifteen  people.  As  MILLS  appears 
only  in  ACT  I,  he  could  double  ROBERTS, 
WILLIAMS  or  PAYNE,  and  as  INGRAM  appears 
only  in  ACT  II,  he  also  could  double  one  of 
those  three  characters. 

A  description  of  each  character  is  given  as  the 
entrance  is  made. 

THE  TIME  is  the  Present. 
THE  PLACE  is  any  large  city  in  America. 


THE  NAN  OF  THF  HOUR 


ACT! 

SCENE:— Room  in  CHARLES  WAINWRIGHT'S  Sum 
mer  home.  The  walls  and  ceiling  are  painted 
so  as  to  represent  the  natural  wood.  There  is 
a  very  large  open  fireplace  R.  built  of  cobble 
stones:  this  must  be  a  distinct  architectural 
feature  of  the  room,  which  must  convey  the  im 
pression  of  the  principal  lounging  and  living- 
room  in  a  wealthy  man's  spacious  home  in  the 
mountains  or  near  the  seashore.  The  furnish 
ings  and  furniture  must  tend  to  the  same  end. 
There  is  an  exit  R.  below  the  fireplace  and  lead 
ing  to  a  room  which  is  used  as  WAINWRIGHT'S 
office  when  he  is  occupying  the  house:  another 
entrance  down  L.  as  if  from  a  hall;  another  a 
stairway  up-stage  L.  as  though  coming  from  the 
rooms  in  the  upper  stories  and  one  c.  through 
large  windows  leading  either  on  to  the  ver 
andah,  or  to  the  lawn.  There  is  a  table  c. 
with  chairs  R.  and  L.  of  it,  a  lounge  L.  and  other 
furniture  as  required  to  dress  :he  stage  and  as 
necessitated  by  the  business  uf  the  play.  On 
the  table  are  some  books  a.id  two  messages  re 
ceived  by  WAINWRIGHT  over  his  private  wire  in 
the  room  off  R. 

THE  TIME  is  a  summer  day  of  last  year. 

DISCOVERED  -.—When  the  Curtain  rises  CHARLES 
WAINWRIGHT  is  shown.  He  is  a  very  rich 


8  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

of  myself — getting  up  at  such  an  hour.  It  was  the 
country  air,  I  suppose.  How's  the  market  ? 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  (Handing  dispatches  to  GIBBS) 
Opens  strong. 

GIBBS.  (Looking  at  dispatches,  puts  message  on 
table)  Do  you  know  this  is  the  first  business  day  I 
haven't  been  at  my  office  in  six  years.  (Sits  at  left 
of  table  c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  That  is  one  of  the  things  I  like 
about  you,  Gibbs.  I've  watched  you  ever  since  you 
put  through  that  deal  in  Missouri  Midland  five  years 
ago.  Your  methods  were  a  little  too  spectacular 
to  suit  me  perhaps,  but  you  won — and  that's  what 
counts. 

GIBBS.  I  had  to  stand  some  severe  criticism  for 
that  deal. 

WAINWRIGHT.  A  successful  man  is  always 
criticized. 

GIBBS.    Anything  new  in  the  papers  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.    You  haven't  read  them? 

GIBBS.  No — I  was  in  too  big  a  hurry  to  get 
within  touch  of  that  wire  of  yours. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Then  you  haven't  seen  this — 
(WAINWRIGHT  picks  up  paper  and  reads)  "  We 
are  able  to  state,  on  the  highest  authority,  that  the 
engagement  of  the  niece  of  a  great  financier  and 
street  railway  magnate  to  a  prominent  and  daring 
young  Wall  Street  operator  will  be  announced  in  the 
near  future.  As  the  young  lady  and  her  brother 
are  the  only  relatives  of  the  magnate  and  as  he  will 
undoubtedly  leave  them  the  bulk  of  his  great  fortune 
and  as  the  prospective  groom  is  the  head  of  a 
prominent  Stock  Exchange  firm,  the  marriage,  in 
addition  to  being  a  love  match  should  be  a  most 
fortunate  and  advantageous  one  in  every  way." 
(Puts  paper  on  table)  No  mistaking  who  is  meant, 
is  there! 

GIBBS.  No,  sir.  I  wonder  what  your  niece  will 
think  about  it  ? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  9 

WAINWRIGHT.  It's  just  what  was  needed  to 
bring  things  to  an  issue.  In  fact  it's  such  a  clever 
stroke  that  I  believe  you  made  it,  didn't  you? 

GIBBS.  Well — I — I  didn't  exactly  cause  the  para 
graph  to  be  written  but-er-er — !  (Rises) 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  congratulate  you.  As  a  forcing 
move,  it  couldn't  be  beaten.  Dallas  has  dallied  with 
you  long  enough. 

GIBBS.  It  isn't  the  waiting  for  a  delicate  answer 
that  I  mind. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (c.  Rises)  I  mind  it.  She 
knows  I'm  in  favor  of  the  match  and  I  want  the 
matter  settled.  That  was  one  of  the  reasons  I  asked 
you  up  here — to  give  you  a  chance  to  speak  to  her 
again. 

GIBBS.    If  I  were  only  sure  she  loved  me. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Playing  for  a  laugh)  If  she 
doesn't  you  can  make  her  think  she  does  and  that's 
sufficient.  Any  man  can  make  any  unattached  wo- 
ynan  think  she  loves  him  if  he  keeps  at  it  long' 
enough!  I'm  a  bachelor  and  I  know!" 

GIBBS.  Any  "  Unattached "  woman  perhaps. 
But  is  Miss  Wainwright  unattached? 

WAINWRIGHT.    Of  course  she  is. 

GIBBS.  At  times  I  have  thought  that  Alwyn 
Bennett  was 

WAINWRIGHT.     They're  friends,  nothing  more. 

GIBBS.    I'm  not  so  sure 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Starts  ticker)  I  am.  In  any 
case  Dallas  wouldn't  marry  Bennett. 

GIBBS.    Why?    (Goes  toward  table) 

WAINWRIGHT.  She  has  an  ideal — (Crosses  to 
GIBBS)  the  man  who  does  things,  (Puts  message 
on  table  and  goes  to  GIBBS)  that  is  greatly  in  your 
favor.  You  have,  alone  and  unaided  made  your 
way  in  the  world.  He's  only  a  polo  player 

GIBBS.    (R.  L.  c.)    Yes,  but— 

WAINWRIGHT.      Besides,    Bennett    has    known 


io  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

Dallas  for  years.  Had  he  wanted  to  marry  her  he 
would  have  shown  it  long  ago. 

GIBBS.  He  was  always  slow  getting  started — but 
start  him  once  and  he'll  make  up  for  all  the  time  he's 
lost  and  he'll  fight  till  he  drops.  Don't  make  any 
mistake  about  that.  I  know.  (Stops  ticker) 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  All  the  more  reason  then  why 
you  should  settle  the  matter.  Do  it  to-day.  I'll  see 
that  you  have  the  chance. 

GIBBS.    I'll  try. 

(THOMPSON  re-enters  with  another  message.  He 
also  has  a  blank  for  the  reply.  He  hands  both 
to  WAINWRIGHT.) 

THOMPSON.    There's  an  answer,  sir. 

(WAINWRIGHT  reads  message  and  goes  to  table— 
writes  answer.) 

GIBBS.    Thompson!     (Crosses  to  R.) 

THOMPSON.    Mr.  Gibbs ! 

GIBBS.    How  is  D.  L.  &  K.  this  morning? 

THOMPSON.    62*4,  sir. 

GIBBS.    And  Missouri  Midland! 

THOMPSON.    94%,  sir. 

(WAINWRIGHT  hands  reply  to  THOMPSON.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Rush  it! 

THOMPSON.  (Goes  L.  and  reads  despatch)  Yes, 
sir.  (THOMPSON  exits  as  before  R.) 

GIBBS.  (After  door  is  closed.  R.  c.)  I  didn't 
know  Thompson  was  telegrapher  as  well  as  private 
secretary. 

WAINWRIGHT.  A  year  ago  he  heard  me  speak  of 
my  difficulty  in  getting  an  intelligent  man,  who 
would  keep  his  mouth  shut,  to  handle  my  wire  while 
I  was  here.  He  said  nothing  but  before  I  came  this 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  11 

time  he  told  me  he  could  do  it.    He'd  been  studying 
nights. 

GIBBS.     (Goes  in  front  of  table)    He's  a  jewel. 

WAINWRIGHT.  There's  one  particularly  good 
thing  about  Thompson,  I  can  trust  him  implicitly. 

GIBBS.    Implicitly  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Yes.  He's  been  with  me  nine 
years  and  I've  tried  him  in  a  thousand  ways. 

GIBBS.  I  wish  I  could  find  such  a  man.  (Sits  at 
L.  of  table) 

WAINWRIGHT.  You'll  try  many  before  you  do. 
(Referring  to  message  in  his  hand)  This  will  in 
terest  you. 

GIBBS.    Yes. 

WAINWRIGHT.  It's  from  my  office.  It  says 
Borough  Street  Railway  stock  is  now  offered  at  63. 
I  told  them  to  tell  your  office  to  take  all  they  could 
at  that  figure — that  they  were  to  make  no  bids — just 
pick  up  quietly  all  that  was  offered. 

GIBBS.  You  have  given  me  twenty-five  per  cent 
of  the  deal  and  I  am  to  handle  it  on  the  floor. 

WAINWRIGHT.  But  you  are  to  purchase  no  stock 
without  my  orders  and  you're  not  to  buy  a  single 
share  for  your  private  account. 

GIBBS.    That's  understood. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Going  to  R.)  Only  one  thing 
can  stop  us.  The  defeat  of  the  present  administra 
tion  in  the  election  next  Fall. 

GIBBS.  I'm  sorry  to  say  it,  but  it  looks  to  me  as 
though  the  administration  would  be  defeated.  (Sits 
L.  of  table  with  elbows  on  table  facing  WAIN- 
WRIGHT) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  c.  in  front  of  table)  There 
are  four  months  from  now  till  the  election  and, 
properly  campaigned,  I  think  the  administration  can 
win.  They  have  the  organization — good  workers — • 
the  office  holders  and  the  police.  (R.  of  table)  Only 
one  thing  more  is  necessary — money. 

GIBBS.    Money  ? 


12  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

WAINWRIGHT.  And  that  will  be  forthcoming, 
providing  Horigan  agrees  to  my  terms.  He'll  be 
here  at  noon.  I've  asked  Phelan,  too. 

GIBBS.    Phelan  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Yes,  Alderman  Phelan  of  the 
Eighth  Ward. 

GIBBS.    I  thought  he  and  Horigan  were  enemies. 

WAINWRIGHT.  They  are.  I  want  to  reconcile 
them. 

GIBBS.  But  why  all  this  trouble  for  Phelan? 
(Rises  and  moves  to  WAINWRIGHT)  Horigan's  the 
boss.  He  controls  the  Council.  Phelan  has  no  vote 
but  his  own. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Horigan  is  a  bull-dog.  He  rules 
my  main  strength  and  has  no  more  diplomacy  than 
a  mule. 

GIBBS.    And  Phelan? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Phelan  is  a  bull-dog  crossed  with 
a  fox.  He  showed  that  when  he  was  Chief  of 
Police.  He'll  either  be  with  me  or  against  me.  I 
prefer  to  have  him  with  me. 

( BUTLER  enters  L.) 

BUTLER.    Judge  Newman,  sir. 
^  WAINWRIGHT.    Certainly.    (BUTLER  exits  L.    To 
GIBBS)    I  know  what  he  wants. 

(JUDGE  NEWMAN  enters  L.  WAINWRIGHT  goes  to 
meet  him.  GIBBS  drops  dozvn  R.  He  is  a  man 
of  sixty,  supine  and  ingratiating.  Nature  in 
tended  him  to  be  an  honest  man  but  forgot  to 
give  him  the  necessary  backbone.  His  wife  is 
domineering  and  masterful  and  in  years.) 

JUDGE.    How  do  you  do,  Charles. 
WAINWRIGHT.    Glad  to  see  you,  Judge.    Do  you 
know  Mr.  Gibbs? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  13 

JUDGE.  Indeed  I'm  glad  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Gibbs. 
(Crosses  to  GIBBS  and  takes  his  hand) 

GIBBS.    And  I  to  meet  you,  sir. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Making  sign  for  all  to  be 
seated)  In  addition  to  being  an  old  friend,  the 
Judge  is  my  nearest  neighbor ;  as  you  come  from 
the  station,  the  Bennetts  are  the  nearest  going  the 
other  way. 

JUDGE.  And  being  a  neighbor  I  thought  I  would 
drop  in  and — and 

WAINWRIGHT.  And  make  a  friendly  call  I  un 
derstand 

JUDGE.  It  was  Mrs.  Newman  who  suggested  it. 
(To  GIBBS)  You  don't  know  Mrs.  Newman,  do 
you? 

GIBBS.    I  haven't  the  pleasure.    (R.) 

JUDGE.    A  wonderful  woman — simply  wonderful. 

WAINWRIGHT.  We  were  speaking  of  the  ap 
proaching  campaign  as  you  came  in,  Judge.  You 
come  up  for  re-election,  don't  you  ? 

JUDGE.    I  do  if  I  get  a  renomination. 

GIBBS.    Of  course  there's  no  question  about  that. 

JUDGE.  But  there  is.  (Turns  to  WAINWRIGHT) 
The  last  time  I  saw  Mr.  Horigan  he  intimated  that 
he  was  against  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Horigan  against  it;  that's  bad. 

JUDGE.  Very  bad — unless  you  use  your  influence 
with  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  I'd  like  to  oblige  you,  Judge,  but 
you  know  how  I  hate  to  mix  in  political  matters. 

JUDGE.  But  for  old  time's  sake — and  in  view  of 
our  long  friendship 

WAINWRIGHT.  When  you  put  it  that  way,  much 
as  I  dislike  it,  I  can't  refuse. 

JUDGE.  Thank  you.  Please  take  the  matter  up 
with  Mr.  Horigan  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can. 

WAINWRIGHT.    I'll  do  it  to-day. 

JUDGE.    To-day  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.    Mr.  Horigan  is  coming  to  pay  me 


I4  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

"a  little  friendly  call,"  too.  He'll  be  here  about 
noon. 

JUDGE.  How  fortunate.  I'll  drop  in  shortly  after 
and  see  what  the  verdict  is,  with  your  permission 
of  course. 

WAINWRIGHT.     Certainly. 

JUDGE.  Then  I  won't  detain  you  any  longer. 
(Rises  and  crosses  to  door  L.)  Good-morning,  Mr. 
Gibbs.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  I'll  see  you  a  little 
later,  Charles.  (Exits  L.) 

GIBBS.  It  was  good  of  you  to  agree  to  help 
him.  (R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Moves  to  back  of  table  c.)  I 
did  it  because  it  gives  me  "  a  friend  on  the  bench." 
The  longer  you  live  the  more  useful  you  will  find 
that  to  be. 

(DALLAS  enters  from  stairs  L.  She  is  a  prepossess 
ing,  high-minded  girl  of  twenty-five,  dressed  be 
comingly  in  modish  summer  clothes.  It  is  evi 
dent  from  her  manner  that  she  is  perturbed 
about  something  which  has  recently  come  to 
her  notice.  She  comes  down  R.  of  lounge) 

DALLAS.    Good-morning,  Uncle.    (Sits  on  Lounge 

L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    (c.)    Dallas! 

DALLAS.    Mr.  Gibbs. 

GIBBS.    How  do  you  do? 

WAINWRIGHT.  A  good  idea  of  mine  having  Mr. 
Gibbs  up  here,  wasn't  it? 

DALLAS.    Yes. 

WAINWRIGHT.  But  he's  here  for  to-day  only, 
don't  forget  that. 

DALLAS.     I'll  remember. 

WAINWRIGHT.    What's  the  programme? 

DALLAS.    I  haven't  decided  yet,  Uncle. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (R.)  In  any  case,  treat  him  well 
for  my  sake.  (WAINWRIGHT  indicates  to  GIBBS  that 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  15 

this  is  his  chance.    WAINWRIGHT  exits  R.    There  is 
a  slight  pause) 

GIBBS.  (Crosses  to  table  and  takes  up  newspaper) 
you  have  seen  this  paper  ? 

DALLAS.     Yes. 

GIBBS.    And  are  annoyed. 

DALLAS.    Greatly. 

GIBBS.  No  more  than  I  am.  I  wish  I  knew  who 
did  it.  (Works  R.  a  little — leaves  paper  on  table) 

DALLAS.  You  don't,  do  you?  (Going  to  GIBBS 
R.  c.) 

GIBBS.    Certainly  not.    Did  you  think  I  knew 

DALLAS.    No ! 

GIBBS.     I'm  glad  of  that.    But — it's  done 

DALLAS.    I  shall  deny  it. 

GIBBS.    Why?    You  haven't  refused  me. 

DALLAS.  But  I  have  told  you  that  I — don't — 
love  you. 

GIBBS.  But  you  have  said  you  admire  and  re 
spect  me.  (Back  of  chair  R.) 

DALLAS.    Yes. 

GIBBS.^  For  a  beginning  I  am  satisfied  with  that. 
Admiration  and  respect  form  the  one  foundation 
on  which  a  lasting  love  is  built. 

DALLAS.    Are  you  sure? 

GIBBS.  Quite.  You  wouldn't  marry  a  man  you 
didn't  admire  and  respect — would  you? 

DALLAS.  I  wouldn't — marry  him.  Perhaps  I 
couldn't  help — loving  him. 

GIBBS.  Marry  me.  I'll  win  your  love.  You've 
temporized  for  three  months.  Don't  put  me  off 
any  longer.  You  know  I  love  you. 

DALLAS.    Yes.    I  think  you  do. 

GIBBS.  You  know  it,  and  you  know  how  it  would 
please  your  uncle.  Say  yes.  (Drops  down  R.) 

DALLAS.    You  must  wait. 

GIBBS.    How  long? 

DALLAS.    I  don't  know. 

GIBBS.    Is  that  fair? 


16  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

DALLAS.    I  do  it  because  I  want  to  be  fair. 

GIBBS.    To  whom? 

DALLAS.    To  you — and  to  myself. 

GIBBS.    At  least  tell  me  this.    Is  there 

(PERRY  enters  from  stairs  L.  He  is  a  light-hearted, 
buoyant  chap  of  twenty-one.  He  is  still  a  boy 
in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  is  outspoken  in 
manner  and  frank  in  his  likes  and  dislikes.  His 
love  for  his  sister  is  sincere  and  unalloyed. 
GIBBS  sees  PERRY  and  stops.  DALLAS  turns  to 
back  of  chair  R.) 

GIBBS.    Good-morning ! 

PERRY.  (Very  coolly)  Good-morning.  (Picks 
up  newspaper  from  table  and  sits  on  lounge  to 
read  L.  ) 

GIBBS.    Fine  weather. 

PERRY.  ^  Yes.  (Ostentatiously  reads  the  paper. 
GIBBS  notices  his  behavior  and  his  eyes  narrow  and 
his  jaiv  sets  viciously) 

DALLAS.    Mr.  Gibbs  is  here  only  for  to-day. 

PERRY.     Hope  he'll  have  a  pleasant  time. 

GIBBS.  (To  DALLAS)  I  think  you  said  you  had 
no  plans  for  to-day. 

DALLAS.    Not  yet. 

GIBBS.  ^  When  they  are  made,  please  let  me  know 
if  I  am  included.  I  am  entirely  at  your  disposal. 
(Exits  R.) 

DALLAS.  (Moves  to  front  of  table)  Perry,  how 
could  you  be  so  rude  ? 

PERRY.  Because  I  don't  like  him.  (Goes  to 
table)  Did  you  ask  him? 

DALLAS.    He  denied  it  without  my  asking. 

PERRY.    Guilty  conscience. 

DALLAS.    Perry! 

PERRY.  I'll  bet  it  is.  That's  just  the  kind  of  thing 
he'd  do. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  17 

DALLAS.  I  won't  hear  you  speak  that  way  about 
him. 

PERRY.  (Referring  to  newspaper  from  table  c.) 
"Oh,  the  highest  authority!"  "  A  love  match." 
Wouldn't  that  drive  you  to  the  benches  in  the 
Park — (Puts  paper  on  table)  How  are  you  going 
to  deny  it — by  wire? 

DALLAS.    No. 

PERRY.  Good.  The  long  distance  'phone  is 
quicker.  I'll  call  the  editor  up.  And  when  you  get 
through  give  me  a  chance.  You  can  bet  what  I  say 
will  make  Central  keep  off  the  wire !  (Starts  as  if 
to  go  to  hall  L.) 

DALLAS.    Perry ! 

PERRY.     (Stopping  at  door  L.)     Yes. 

DALLAS.  I'm  not  sure  that  I'm  going  to  deny 
it. 

PERRY.  But  if  you  don't  people  will  imagine — ! 
You  don't  mean  to  say  there  is  anything  in  it — 
(Going  over  to  her  R.)  Little  sister,  you're  not 
thinking  of  marrying  him! 

DALLAS.  What  is  there  against  Mr.  Gibbs  ?  He 
is  a  college  man — an  athlete — a  successful  man — 
a  man  with  a  future — and  a  gentleman.  What  more 
could  a  girl  ask? 

PERRY.  I  don't  know  what  it  is.  I  feel  it,  that's 
all.  (Sincerely)  You're  the  only  thing  I  have  in 
the  world,  Dallas,  and  I'd  just  hate  to  see  you 
married  to  him — (DALLAS  places  her  hand  affec 
tionately  on  PERRY'S  shoulder  and  then  walks  away 
and  sits  R.)  He's  going  to  be  just  like  Uncle — a 
money-grub.  If  you  marry  Gibbs  in  two  years  you'll 
be  in  third  place  to  a  private  wire  and  a  long  dis 
tance 'phone.  ( Going  to  DALLAS.  Sincerely)  Don't 
do  it. 

DALLAS.    I've  not  promised — yet. 

PERRY.  Gee.  I'm  glad.  If  you  must  marry— 
and  I  suppose  a  girl  must — why  not  pick  out  a  chap 


i8  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

we  know  and  like — a  chap  like — like  Alwyn  Bennett. 
There's  a  good  idea,  why  not  marry  him? 

DALLAS.    Don't  talk  nonsense. 

PERRY.  It  isn't  nonsense.  Why  not  marry 
Alwyn  ? 

DALLAS.    Oh — for  a  thousand  reasons.     (Rises) 

PERRY.    Give  me  one — just  one.    I  dare  you ! 

DALLAS.  Well,  for  one  reason — he  hasn't  asked 
me.  And — if  that  is  not  enough — he  isn't — in  love 
with  me. 

PERRY.  But  he  is.  Isn't  he  around  with  you  all 
the  time?  Don't  you  ride  together,  shoot  together, 
fish  together !  I'll  bet  he's  in  love  with  you. 

(  BUTLER  appears  L.) 
BUTLER.    Mr.  Bennett. 

(BENNETT  enters  L.  He  is  a  good-looking,  prepos 
sessing  young  man  of  about  thirty  and  is  dressed 
in  riding  clothes.  There  is  nothing  in  any  sense 
weak  about  him,  in  fact  he  comes  of  fighting 
stock  and  takes  after  his  forefathers,  but  his 
father  having  left  him  a  fortune,  thoughts  of 
work  for  work's  sake  or  for  the  mere  doing  of 
things,  has  never  seriously  entered  his  head. 
He  comes  on  quickly  and  expectantly.  He 
hopes  to  see  DALLAS  alone.  Seeing  her  first  his 
face  lights  up,  but  when  his  eye  falls  on  PERRY 
his  face  drops  somewhat.  The  BUTLER  exits.) 

PERRY.  Hello,  Alwyn.  Glad  to  see  you.  (Shake 
hands  c. ) 

BENNETT.  Same  here.  (To  DALLAS)  Good- 
morning  ! 

DALLAS.  Good-morning!  (Back  of  chair  R.  of 
table) 

BENNETT.    Well,  I'm  ready  to  finish  that  set. 

PERRY.    Why  didn't  you  come  yesterday? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  19 

BENNETT.    Mother  has  a  guest — Miss  Garrison. 

PERRY.     Cynthia  Garrison. 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

PERRY.  I  want  to  see  Miss  Garrison.  (Moves  to 
front  of  table)  Do  you  know  her,  Dallas? 

DALLAS.  (Back  of  chair  R.  of  table)  Very  well, 
indeed.  She's  a  splendid  girl. 

PERRY.  She's  a  jolly  good  judge  of  Boston 
Terriers.  I  bought  two  of  hers  when  her  kennel 
was  under  the  hammer — Betty  and  Prince  Charlie. 
They're  beauties,  too.  I  tried  to  meet  her  at  the 
sale  but  they  told  me  she  wasn't  there. 

BENNETT.  (L.  c.)  She  couldn't  bear  to  see  the 
dogs  sold,  but  they  had  to  go. 

PERRY.    Why? 

BENNETT.  She  has  no  money  and  doesn't  want 
to  be  dependent  on  her  friends.  Under  similar  cir 
cumstances,  other  girls  have  turned  to  raising 
chickens.  Cynthia's  tastes  did  not  run  that  way; 
she  chose  Boston  terriers,  but  she  hadn't  sufficient 
capital  and  the  experiment  failed. 

(DALLAS  moves  to  front  of  table.) 

PERRY.  She  must  be  all  right.  I'll  drop  over  to 
your  place  this  afternoon. 

BENNETT.  Do.  But  you'll  have  an  opportunity 
to  meet  Miss  Garrison  before  then.  She  and  mother 
are  coming  in  the  car.  (Crosses  to  c.,  to  DALLAS) 
I  rode  on  ahead  thinking  I  might  have  a  chance  for 
a  few  words  with — (Turns  to  PERRY)  Why  not  go 
down  to  meet  them  ? 

PERRY.  I'd  look  fine,  wouldn't  I?  Standing  in 
the  middle  of  the  road  waving  my  handkerchief  and 
shouting :  "  Stop  the  car !  Stop  the  car !  I  want  to 
meet  Miss  Garrison." 

BENNETT.    They  can't  be  far  away. 

PERRY.  All  the  less  reason  for  me  to  go  after 
them.  ( Turns  L.  to  sofa  and  picks  up  cap) 


20  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  (To  DALLAS)  Come  and  see  us  play, 
(c.) 

DALLAS.    (Shaking  head)    I'm  very  sorry.    (R.) 

BENNETT.    Do  come. 

DALLAS.    We  have  a  guest,  too 

BENNETT.    Oh ! 

PERRY.  (Crosses  to  back  of  table)  I  say,  Alwyn, 
does  Miss  Garrison  know  I  have  the  dogs  with  me? 

BENNETT.     I  think  not,  Perry.     (R.  c.) 

PERRY.  Isn't  that  bully !  I'll  bet  she'll  jump  for 
joy!  And  may  be  it  won't  put  me  solid  with  her 
right  from  the  start.  Oh,  I  guess,  yes. 

( BUTLER  appears  L.  MRS.  BENNETT  and  Miss 
GARRISON  enter  L.  DALLAS  goes  to  meet 
them,  as  she  does  so  PERRY  comes  quickly  to 
BENNETT.  MRS.  BENNETT  is  a  woman  of  dis 
tinction  and  refinement  and  is  about  fifty  years 
of  age.  She  is  not  of  the  type  which  thinks  it 
self  young  at  fifty  and  which  dresses  in  gay 
colors  and  uses  every  artifice  to  conceal  its 
years.  While  not  old-fashioned  nor  of  somber 
mind  her  romance  died  with  the  death  of  her 
husband  and  she  lives,  and  takes  her  joy,  in  her 
son.  CYNTHIA  GARRISON  is  a  breezy,  good- 
natured  outdoor  girl  of  nineteen  or  twenty — 
DALLAS  crosses  to  MRS.  BENNETT.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Dallas,  dear ! 

(DALLAS  kisses  MRS.  BENNETT.) 

PERRY.  (Apart  to  BENNETT)  She's  aces.  (Up- 
stage  R.) 

DALLAS.    (Going  to  CYNTHIA)    Cynthia. 

CYNTHIA.  You  darling.  (CYNTHIA  kisses 
DALLAS) 

PERRY.  (To  BENNETT)  Don't  I  wish  she'd  do 
that  to  me.  (BENNETT  smiles,  pats  PERRY  on  the 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  21 

shoulder  and  goes  up-stage.  During  the  following 
scene  PERRY  hovers  about  and  tries  to  attract 
DALLAS'S  attention) 

DALLAS.     How  long  do  you  stay? 

CYNTHIA.    As  long  as  Mrs.  Bennett  lets  me.    (L.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Which  means  all  summer. 

DALLAS.  Isn't  that  splendid?  We  can  see  a  lot 
of  each  other,  can't  we  ? 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  indeed.  I  have  to  make  the  most 
of  it  this  time.  As  soon  as  summer  is  over  this 
butterfly  becomes  an  ant.  (Moves  to  back  of  sofa 
L.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Don't  be  foolish,  Cynthia. 
(Moves  to  sofa  L.) 

DALLAS.    An  ant?    (Moves  to  upper  end  of  sofa) 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  I  can't  live  on  my — (CYNTHIA 
catches  sight  of  PERRY  who  is  trying  to  attract 
DALLAS'  attention.  When  he  sees  this  he  stops  and 
endeavors  to  appear  unconcerned.  DALLAS  crosses 
to  chair  L.  of  table)  Excuse  me,  but  I  think  some 
one  is  trying  to  flag  us.  (Moves  to  lower  end  of 
sofa) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Why,  it's  Perry. 

DALLAS.    Of  course  it  is. 

PERRY.  Yes.  It's  Perry!  You  almost  over 
looked  Perry,  didn't  you  ? 

DALLAS.  (To  Miss  CYNTHIA)  Let  me  present 
my  brother.  Perry,  this  is  Miss  Garrison 

CYNTHIA.    How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Wainwright? 

PERRY.  If  you  really  want  to  know,  Miss  Garri 
son,  I  am  living  for  the  first  time  in  my  life.  (Drops 
to  front  of  table.  PERRY  bows  low)  Oh,  pretty 
good ! 

DALLAS.  Perry!  What  is  the  matter  with  you 
this  morning? 

PERRY.  The  tense  is  wrong,  Dallas.  Whatever 
may  have  been  the  matter  there  is  nothing  the  mat 
ter  now.  (Bows  as  before)  Oh,  not  so  bad. 


22  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

CYNTHIA.  Is  this  his  regular  gait  or  is  he  just 
warming  up? 

PERRY.  Warming  up.  Well,  I  like  that.  Alwyn, 
did  you  hear  that?  (PERRY  goes  up  and  joins 
BENNETT  up  c.) 

DALLAS.  (Goes  to  MRS.  BENNETT  and  CYNTHIA) 
And  now  tell  me  what  you  mean  by  "  Being  an  ant." 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Cynthia  has  a  perfectly  absurd 
idea  that 

CYNTHIA.  Pardon  me,  but  it  isn't  absurd.  I 
haven't  a  dollar  in  the  world;  I  won't  live  on  my 
friends  and — so — I'm  going  to  work. 

DALLAS.    Work! 

(CYNTHIA  nods.) 

CYNTHIA.    Yes. 

DALLAS.    What  can  you  do? 

CYNTHIA.  Don't  know.  I  understand  English 
pretty  well,  and  can  spell  and  punctuate  properly. 
Perhaps  they  will  help  somehow. 

DALLAS.  (To  MRS.  BENNETT)  How  does 
Alwyn  feel  about  it? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Just  as  I  do.  (Raising  her 
voice)  Don't  you,  Alwyn? 

BENNETT.  What  is  it,  mother?  (BENNETT  and 
PERRY  come  down) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Cynthia — and — work. 

BENNETT.  I  don't  like  it.  But  she  has  made  up 
her  mind. 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  but  the  question  is — what  am  I 
to  do?  If  a  girl  makes  a  living  with  horses  and 
dogs . 

PERRY.  Speaking  of  dogs,  remember  I  am  the 
owner  of  Betty  and  Prince  Charlie.  (  Up  c.  back  of 
table) 

CYNTHIA.  I'd  not  forgotten.  (Going  to  PERRY) 
How  are  the  darlings  ? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  23 

PERRY.  Splendid.  I'll  tell  you  a  secret  about 
them.  They  are  here. 

CYNTHIA.    Here? 

PERRY.    Yes. 

CYNTHIA.  Where  are  they?  Take  me  to  them. 
Why  didn't  you  tell  me  before? 

PERRY.    Hadn't  a  chance. 

CYNTHIA.    Please  take  me.    Please. 

PERRY.  With  pleasure.  (Going  to  exit,  goes  c.) 
This  way. 

CYNTHIA.  (To  MRS.  BENNETT  and  DALLAS) 
You'll  excuse  me — wont  you?  (Going  to  PERRY) 
It's  the  grandest  surprise.  You're  just  lovely. 
(CYNTHIA  exits  c.  to  R.) 

PERRY.  What  did  I  tell  you?  Oh,  pretty  good! 
(PERRY  exits  c.  and  R.) 

DALLAS.  How  did  Cynthia's  father  lose  his 
money  ? 

BENNETT.    (Crosses  to  L.  of  table)    Speculation. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  How  I  dread  speculation. 
(THOMPSON  enters  unseen  R.  As  though  to  go  to 
table.  He  sees  MRS.  BENNETT  and  gives  a  start  as 
if  recognizing  her,  and  wondering  if  she  would 
recognise  him)  Mr.  Garrison  married  one  of  my 
dearest  friends.  He  was  cashier  of  a  bank.  After 
awhile  they  made  him  president.  It  was  terrible. 

DALLAS.  What  is  the  real  story  about  Mr.  Garri 
son? 

(THOMPSON  grips  his  hands  and  sets  his   teeth. 
Then  he  stands^  breathless  listening.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    You  tell  her,  Alwyn. 

BENNETT.  (Takes  chair  from  L.  of  table,  places 
it^  so  that  he  may  lean  on  it)  Mr.  Garrison  was  con 
sidered  the  most  honorable  of  men.  There  was 
not  even  a  breath  of  suspicion  against  him.  One 
morning  he  was  found  dead. 

DALLAS.    A  suicide? 


24  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  Yes.  The  bank  was  insolvent.  The 
story  goes  that — On  the  recommendation  of  a  great 
financier  he  had  made  a  large  loan.  It  turned  out 
badly.  When  he  went  to  the  financier  about  it,  he 
told  him  of  a  deal  in  which  he  was  interested  and  in 
which  he  could  recoup  the  loss  without  any  risk. 
Mr.  Garrison  took  his  advice — and  lost!  Then  he 
shot  himself. 

DALLAS.    Awful. 

BENNETT.  But  the  awful  part  of  the  affair  was, 
that  his  friend,  the  financier,  had  deliberately  de 
ceived  him,  for  investigation  proved  that  he  was  on 
the  other  side  of  the  deal. 

DALLAS.    I  did  not  think  such  things  possible. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Mrs.  Garrison — died  the  next 
day.  She  wasn't  strong  and  the  shock  killed  her. 

BENNETT.    There  was  a  boy,  too,  wasn't  there? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Yes,  a  boy  at  college.  I  didn't 
know  him  very  well. 

DALLAS.    What  became  of  him  ? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  He  dropped  out  of  sight.  Went 
West  I  believe  to  avoid  the  disgrace. 

BENNETT.    Poor  chap!     (Up-stage  a  little) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Poor  chap! 

(With  an  effort  THOMPSON  pulls  himself  together 
and  goes  to  table.  MRS.  BENNETT  sees  him, 
rises  and  looks  at  him  inquiringly.) 

THOMPSON.  I  am  Mr.  Wainwright's  secretary. 
He  has  sent  me  for  these  despatches.  (He  picks  up 
the  messages.  MRS.  BENNETT  sits  again) 

DALLAS.    Very  well, 

(THOMPSON  exits.) 

DALLAS.    Has  Cynthia  no  money  at  all? 

MRS.  BENNETT.     No.     She  receives  a  remittance 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  25 

every  month,  though,  but  no  one  knows  from  whom 
it  comes. 

BENNETT.  (Drops  down  to  back  of  lounge) 
First  it  was  ten  dollars  monthly,  then  twenty,  then 
twenty-five  and  now  it's  thirty.  It  has  reached  her 
regularly  for  nine  years. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Isn't  it  strange? 

DALLAS.  Very.  And  a  man  killed  himself;  a 
woman  died;  (Rises,  crosses  to  c.  of  table)  a  boy's 
life  was  ruined  and  a  little  girl  was  left  dependent 
on  friends  so  that  a  financier  could  add  to  his 
fortune. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  My  husband  used  to  say  that 
most  of  the  men  who  rise  high  in  finance  do  it  by 
mounting  the  corpses  of  those  they  had  despoiled 
and  betrayed. 

(DALLAS  shudders.) 

DALLAS.    Awful! 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  thank  Heaven  no  one  could 
say  that  about  him.  He  was  my  one  love  while  he 
lived.  He  is  my  one  ideal  now. 

BENNETT.  Mother.  (BENNETT  goes  to  corner 
of  lounge  R.) 

DALLAS.  And  yet  Mr.  Bennett  left  a  great 
fortune. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  (Crosses  to  table  L.,  sits  in 
chair)  Great  for  those  times  but  not  for  these,  and 
every  dollar  of  it  honestly  earned.  You  don't  re 
member  him  of  course. 

DALLAS.    No.    (R.  of  table) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  He  was  a  magnificent  man;  I 
met  him  soon  after  he  returned  from  the  war,  a 
young  but  distinguished  soldier.  Then  he  went  into 
business  and  was  as  successful  in  peace  as  he  had 
been  in  war?  He  never  did  a  dishonorable  act  and 
never  took  a  dishonest  dollar  and  when  my  boy  dies 
I  hope  that  will  be  his  epitaph. 


26  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

DALLAS.    Amen ! 

BENNETT.  Amen!  (Pause.  He  looks  at 
DALLAS,  conveys  to  audience  the  idea  that  he  wishes 
to  be  alone  with  her.  BENNETT  comes  down  -front 
of  sofa)  Don't  forget,  mother.  You  have  a  guest. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    A  guest  ? 

BENNETT.  And  she's  alone  with  Perry — without 
a  chaperone.  We  don't  need  one. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Mm.  Oh,  certainly.  (Rises. 
DALLAS  goes  R.)  They're  at  the  kennels,  aren't 
they? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Then  I'll  find  them.  (Goes  to 
exit)  You'll  let  me  know  when  Cynthia  can  dis 
pense  with  my  services?  (Exit) 

BENNETT.  Now!  Seen  the  paper?  (Drops 
down  R.  and  takes  it  up  from  table) 

DALLAS.     Yes. 

BENNETT.  (Goes  R.  of  table)  Where  do  you 
suppose  they  get  things  like  that  ?  Gibbs.  Imagine 
him  engaged  to  any  girl.  He's  too  busy  making 
money.  While  he  was  asking  her  he  might  miss  a 
commission  on  two  hundred  shares.  (BENNETT 
laughs) 

DALLAS.    Mr.  Gibbs  is  here. 

BENNETT.    Here ! 

DALLAS.    Yes. 

BENNETT.  (Seriously)  You  don't  mean  it. 
(Goes  toward  DALLAS,  laughs  to  himself)  Oh, 
pshaw!  (There  is  a  pause.  The  possibility  of  the 
truth  slowly  dawns  on  BENNETT.  He  turns  to 
DALLAS  and  looks  at  her)  Dallas !  There  isn't  any 
thing  in  it,  is  there  ? 

DALLAS.    Why  not?     (Rises) 

BENNETT.  You  don't  mean  to  say  that  you  care 
for  him? 

DALLAS.  You  haven't  the  right  to  ask  me  that. 
(Moves  to  back  of  table) 

BENNETT.    But  I  have.    You  know  I  love  you. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  27 

DALLAS.  No!  You  are  like  a  child  who  finds 
someone  has  taken  a  toy  to  which  he  is  accustomed. 
For  a  time  he  thinks  he  will  never  get  over  it  but  in 
a  little  while  he  finds  another — and  then — forgets. 

BENNETT.  Do  you  really  think  that — of  me? 
(Sits  R.  of  table) 

DALLAS.  If  you  do  love  me,  do  something  that 
will  make  me  proud  of  you.  I  am  not  proud  of  you 
now. 

BENNETT.    Dallas ! 

DALLAS.  Your  father  left  you  great  wealth.  (To 
c.,  back  of  table)  What  have  you  done  with  it? 
Your  youth  is  going  fast.  What  have  you  done  with 
it  ?  You  have  wealth  and  strength.  What  have  you 
done  with  them?  Above  all — you  have  talent  and 
power — what  have  you  done  with  them? 

BENNETT.    Why  I — I  never  thought ! 

DALLAS.  I'll  tell  you  what  you  have  done  with 
them.  You  have  wasted  them — everyone.  Your 
father  fought  and  won.  You  are  an  idler — a  looker- 
on.  You  are  merely  a  rich  man's  son — a  man  to 
whom  money  was  left. 

BENNETT.    What  is  there  for  me  to  do? 

DALLAS.  Do  a  man's  work  to  the  best  of  your 
ability.  When  you  made  those  speeches  for  Mr. 
Lorimer  at  the  last  election — I  thought 

BENNETT.  That  was  only  to  help  a  friend  and 
for  the  fun  of  the  thing. 

DALLAS.  It's  always  that  way.  Why  not  do 
something  for  yourself  and  do  it  seriously.  There 
are  many  opportunities.  Take  one 

BENNETT.  And  if  I  do — (Rises  and  turns  to 
DALLAS)  Have  I  a  chance — for  you? 

DALLAS.  I  have  told  Mr.  Gibbs — to  wait.  (Turns 
away) 

BENNETT.  Then  I  have  a  chance.  (Moves  to 
back  of  table)  And  what  you  have  said  is  true.  I 
realize  it.  I  have  always  realized  it.  Why,  only  the 
other  day,  I'd  made  up  my  mind  to  quit  this  having 


28  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

fun  and  do  something — I'd  made  up  my  mind  to  it — 
but  Perry  came  over  and  took  me  to  the  ball-game 
and  I  forgot  about  it.  (She  shakes  her  head  and 
moves  away ;  crosses  to  L.  of  table  and  sits  in  chair 
L.)  But  it  will  be  different  now.  Till  to-day  I  have 
been  a  rich  man's  son.  Now  I'm  really  going  to 
start  for  myself.  I'm  going  to  begin  on  my  own 
account  for  you.  (Moves  to  L.  of  table) 

DALLAS.    You  can  win  if  you'll  try. 

BENNETT.  Don't  be  afraid,  I'll  try.  (Sits  on  end 
of  table) 

DALLAS.  The  trouble  is  nothing  less  than  a  blow 
will  arouse  you. 

BENNETT.    A  blow? 

DALLAS.  Would  you  have  told  me  what  you  did 
just  now  if  it  hadn't  been  for  that  article?  (Points 
to  neivspaper.  There  is  a  slight  pause)  It  has  al 
ways  been  the  same.  The  first  time  I  saw  you 
you  were  playing  football.  You  were  playing  a  hard 
game,  but  not  a  fighting  game — the  game  that  wins. 
Suddenly,  when  your  head  was  turned,  a  man  struck 
you.  It  was  a  cowardly,  unfair  blow  and  it  roused  all 
the  fighting  blood  in  your  veins.  Five  minutes  later 
the  man  who  struck  you  was  carried  off  the  field. 
That  made  no  difference  though.  Your  blood  was 
up  and  you  played  with  a  fierceness  that  frightened 
me.  You  won  the  game  and  it  was  the  blow  that 
roused  you.  Do  you  remember? 

BENNETT.  I  should  say  I  do.  Do  you  know  who 
struck  it? 

DALLAS.    No. 

BENNETT.    Gibbs. 

DALLAS.    Impossible. 

BENNETT.    Ask  him. 

DALLAS.    Mr.  Gibbs. 

(The  voices  of  PHELAN  and  the  BUTLER  are  heard 
off  L.     PHELAN  is  asking  for  admittance  and 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  29 

MILLS  is  protesting.    BUTLER  enters  L.    He  is 
evidently  perturbed.) 

DALLAS.    What  is  it,  Mills  ? 

BUTLER.  A — a  gentleman  to  see  Mr.  Wainwright, 
Miss. 

DALLAS.    Well? 

BUTLER.  He  has  no  card,  but  he  says  his  name  is 
Phelan  and  that  he  is  here  by  appointment. 

DALLAS.  Ask  Mr.  Wainwright  if  he  has  such  an 
appointment. 

BUTLER.    Yes,  Miss.    (BUTLER  exits  R.) 

DALLAS.  Mills  has  to  be  careful  about  Uncle's 
visitors — so  many  strange  people  come  to  see  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Off  R.)  Certainly  I'll  see  Mr. 
Phelan.  (BUTLER  re-enters  follozved  by  MR.  WAIN- 
WRIGHT  and  GIBBS)  Show  Mr.  Phelan  in  here  at 
once. 

BUTLER.    Yes,  sir.    (BUTLER  exits  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Seeing  BENNETT  c.  Back  of 
table)  Oh,  I  didn't  know  you  were  here,  Mr. 
Bennett.  I'll  see  my  visitor  in  the  library. 

DALLAS.  Don't  bother,  Uncle,  Alwyn  and  I  were 
just  going  to  join  his  mother.  (To  GIBBS)  Won't 
you  come,  Mr.  Gibbs  ? 

GIBBS.    Can't  just  now,  thank  you. 

DALLAS.  I'm  sorry.  Come  Alwyn.  (L.  of  ivin- 
dow.  DALLAS  and  BENNETT  exeunt  c.  to  R.) 

GIBBS.  He  is  "  Alwyn."  I  am  Mr.  Gibbs.  You 
see?  (R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  do.  Perhaps  you're  right  after 
all. 

GIBBS.    I  know  I'm  right. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Perhaps  you  are.    (c.) 

(PHELAN  enters  L.  He  is  a  man  of  fifty  or  fifty- 
five,  of  at  least  the  average  height,  somewhat 
florid  of  face,  and  of  considerable  bulk.  Pie  is 


30  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

shrewd  but  good-natured;  courageous  yet  good 
humored,  and  he  has  learned  worldly  zvisdom 
in  the  school  of  experience.  He  is  an  East  side 
ALDERMAN,  who  rules  his  domain  because  the 
people  knozv  him  and  like  him.  Starting  at  the 
foot  of  the  police  ladder  years  before,  he 
worked  his  way  up  till  he  became  chief  and 
zvhen  retired  by  a  new  executive  he  went  to  the 
ward  where  he  was  always  popular  and  ever 
since,  has  always  been  elected  by  a  big  major 
ity.) 

PHELAN.    How  do! 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  (Goes  tozvard  PHELAN,  takes  his 
hand,  then  passes  him  to  GIBBS  R.)  Alderman! 
(They  shake  hands)  Let  me  introduce  Mr.  Gibbs. 
This  is  Alderman  Phelan. 

PHELAN.  Of  the  Eighth.  (Goesx.c.)  The  only 
man  who  run  independent  last  election  and  carried 
his  ward. 

GIBBS.    Glad  to  meet  you,  Alderman.    (R.) 

PHELAN.    Same  to  you,  young  fellow. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Were  you  on  time  ? 

PHELAN.  About  fifteen  minutes  behind,  that's 
all. 

(WAINWRIGHT  looks  at  watch.) 

PHELAN.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  Say,  Horigan 
thinks  he  can  down  me  next  Fall.  Nothin'  to  it.  I'll 
bury  his  man  so  deep  a  steam-shovel  couldn't  dig 
him  out.  (R.  c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Confident,  aren't  you? 

PHELAN.  Why  not?  There  ain't  a  voter  in  the 
Ward— Dago,  Greek  or  White— that  I  can't  call  by 
his  first  name  and  tell  him  how  many  children  he 
has !  I've  got  my  people  right  where  I  want  'em, 
Hongan!  Wait,  that's  all! 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  31 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  Why  don't  you  and  Horigan  bury 
the  hatchet? 

PHELAN.  Bury  the  hatchet!  The  only  time  I 
ever  bury  any  hatchet  with  Dick  Horigan  his  head'll 
go  with  it. 

GIBBS.    Is  it  wise  to  fight  so  strong  a  man? 

PHELAN.  (R.  Goes  to  GIBBS)  It's  all  right  for 
me  because  he's  got  to  come  into  my  territory  to 
whip  me !  Besides,  I'd  be  lonesome  if  I  didn't  have 
a  fight  on  hand.  I'm  the  original  red  rag  to  the  bull 
of  trouble  and  I  like  it. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  I  want  you  and  Horigan  to  be 
friends.  (L.  c.) 

PHELAN.    No,  sir. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  Come  now,  if  I  had  invited  Hori 
gan  to  meet  you  here  to-day,  for  instance,  wouldn't 
he  be  welcome? 

PHELAN.  Sure — he'd  be  as  welcome  as  the 
typhoid  fever. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Well,  you  might  as  well  know — 
I  have  invited  him. 

PHELAN.    Here — to  meet  me. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Yes.  But  he  doesn't  know  it  any 
more  than  you  did. 

PHELAN.  If  that's  what  you're  plannin*  you're 
wastin'  time. 

WAINWRIGHT.  He's  liable  to  be  here  any  minute 
now. 

PHELAN.  (Goes  up  c.  Back  of  table)  Then 
there's  no  use  my  waitin'  any  longer. 

WAINWRIGHT.  You're  not  afraid  to  meet  him, 
are  you? 

PHELAN.  (Going  to  table.  Quietly,  but  smartly) 
Afraid  !  There  ain't  a  man  living  I'm  afraid  to  meet. 
( BUTLER  enters  L.) 

BUTLER.    Mr.  Horigan,  sir. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Show  him  in. 

( GIBBS  rises.    BUTLER  exits  L.    HORIGAN  enters  L. 


32  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

He  is  a  man  of  fifty-five  of  great  physical 
strength  and  bull-dog  courage  and  tenacity. 
These  are  evidenced  by  his  firm  step  and  his 
square  jaws.  He  is  essentially  a  fighting  man, 
giving  no  quarter  and  asking  none.  He  is  a 
man  of  the  people,  has  risen  from  the  ranks  till 
he  is  now  the  political  boss  of  a  great  city. 
Rich  and  extremely  powerful.  As  he  has  risen 
in  influence  he  has  acquired  the  habit  of  correct 
speech,  somewhat  by  study  and  application  but 
mostly  absorption,  till  his  lapses  are  now  infre 
quent  and  not  common.  He  radiates  physical 
energy,  strength,  courage  and  stubborness.) 

HORIGAN.  (L.)  Good-morning,  I  was  think 
ing  that — (Sees  PHELAN.  There  is  a  short  pause. 

L.   C.) 

NOTE: — The  enmity  existing  between  Phelan 
and  Horigan  must  be  shown  sharply  here  by  the 
attitude  of  the  two  men. 

PHELAN.     (Indicating  WAINWRIGHT)     Ask  him. 

HORIGAN.    (To  WAINWRIGHT)    Well,  what  is  it ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  disliked  to  see  two  such  good 
fellows  pulling  against  each  other  and  I  wanted  to 
bring  you  together. 

HORIGAN.    What  did  he  say? 

PHELAN.    I  said  there  was  nothing  doing 

HORIGAN.    That  goes  double  with  me. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Isn't  there  any  possible  way  I 
can — reconcile 

HORIGAN,    There  isn't — (Crossing  to  table  L.  c. 
To  PHELAN  back  of  table  c.)    I'm  after  you,  Phelan 
— and  this  time  I'm  going  to  get  you. 
^  PHELAN.     You're  as  welcome  as  the  flowers  in 
Spring!    And  don't  forget  this.     I'm  after  you! 

HORIGAN.    (Scornfully)     YoulHuhl 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  33 

PHELAN.  Yes.  Me.  Huh!  You're  standin' 
pretty  solid  now,  but  remember — you  ain't  no 
sphinx!  you  can  be  pulled  down! 

HORIGAN.    At  least  we  understand  each  other 

PHELAN.    Yes,  and  always  did. 

HORIGAN.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  If  this  was  the 
business  you  asked  me  to  come  here,  on,  I  want  to 
say — (Up  to  WAINWRIGHT  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.     It  wasn't  the  business. 

HORIGAN.  Then  perhaps  we  can  get  to  it — 
(Goes  to  c.  above  table  c.)  When  he's  gone. 

PHELAN.  That's  the  end  o'  the  session  for  me. 
(To  WAINWRIGHT)  So  long 

WAINWRIGHT.  I'm  sorry  Alderman.  (Goes  to 
PHELAN) 

PHELAN.  That's  all  right.  (HORIGAN  comes 
down  L.  table.  To  GIBBS)  So  long. 

GIBBS.     Good-bye,  Mr.  Phelan. 

PHELAN.  (To  HORIGAN)  As  for  you,  some  day 
I'll  drop  something  on  you,  and  if  it  don't  knock  you 
flat  I'll  come  back  and  walk  around  you  to  see  what's 
holdin'  you  up.  (Exits  L.) 

HORIGAN.  Damn  him.  (c.  above  table.  WAIN- 
WRIGHT  comes  down) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Let  me  introduce  Mr.  Gibbs. 

HORIGAN.    How  are  you? 

GIBBS.    Mr.  Horigan. 

HORIGAN.  (Going  to  WAINWRIGHT)  Did  you 
hear  what  he  said ;  "  He  was  going  after  me."  Jim 
Phelan  pull  me  down ! 

GIBBS.    There's  not  much  chance  of  that 

HORIGAN.  There's  none.  But  I'll  get  him.  (Go 
to  GIBBS  R.)  I've  got  to  get  him  for  the  sake  of 
discipline.  If  he  can  defy  me  and  win,  others  might 
think  they  can — so — I've  got  to  get  him.  (Crosses 
to  WAINWRIGHT  c.,  below  table)  Why  did  you 
bring  him  here  ? 

( GIBBS  sits  R.) 


34  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  I  am  interested  in  a  matter  to 
which  there  is  sure  to  be  opposition. 

HORIGAN.    Well? 

WAINWRIGHT.  And  I  want  to  win  over  any 
possible  ally  of  the  enemy  before  war  is  declared. 

HORIGAN.  You're  a  clever  man,  Mr.  Wainwright, 
but  there  are  some  things  even  you  don't  understand. 
I  daren't  compromise  with  Phelan  if  I  wanted.  If 
a  man  in  the  organization  starts  a  fight  with  me 
there's  no  turning  back.  I  never  compromise  with 
him.  I  crush  him.  That  has  kept  me  where  I  am. 
Everyone  of  them  knows  that  with  me  it's  obey  or 
fight,  and  if  it's  a  fight  then  it's  a  fight  to  a  finish. 

(The  above  was  the  dictum  of  RICHARD  CROCKER; 
during  the  above  GIBBS  drops  down  a  little  and 
HORIGAN  finishes  speech  at  L.  corner  of  table. 
JUDGE  NEWMAN  enters  L.) 

JUDGE.  Good-morning,  Mr.  Horigan.  I  confess 
to  being  a  little  anxious.  I  hope  I'm  not  too  early. 

HORIGAN.    For  what? 

JUDGE.    Hasn't  Mr.  Wainwright  spoken  to  you? 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Going  up  a  little)  I've  had  no 
opportunity,  Judge. 

HORIGAN.  (Going  to  JUDGE  L.  c.)  If  it's  the  re- 
nomination  you  mean,  I'm  where  I  was  before,  I 
think  you've  had  your  feet  in  the  trough  long 
enough.  It's  time  somebody  else  had  a  chance. 

JUDGE.  But  consider  the  circumstances,  Mr. 
Horigan.  I've  given  the  best  years  of  my  life  to  the 
judiciary  and  Mrs.  Newman  says  that 

HORIGAN.  We've  got  to  take  care  of  our  active 
workers — the  men  we  can  depend  on — the  men 
who'll  do  the  right  thing. 

JUDGE.     I'm  sure  I've  always  done  what's  right. 
HORIGAN.    I  said  "  The  men  who'll  do  the  right 
thing" 
JUDGE.     (Appealing)     Charles! 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  35 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  (Coming  down)  Leave  the  mat 
ter  in  my  hands.  I  think  I  can  adjust  it  to  the  sat 
isfaction  of  all  concerned. 

JUDGE.  (WAINWRIGHT  moves  R.  c.)  If  you  can, 
you'll  put  me  under  lasting  obligations. 

HORIGAN.  I'll  say  this  much — if  anybody  can  get 
you  the  nomination  Mr.  Wainwright  can.  And 
now,  we  have  some  business  to  talk  over.  (He  turns 
back  on  JUDGE) 

JUDGE.  Certainly.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  I  de 
pend  on  you. 

WAINWRIGHT.    You  may ! 

JUDGE.     Thank  you,  Charlie!     (JUDGE  exits  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  What  is  there  against  him? 
(Crosses  to  HORIGAN) 

HORIGAN.  (Going  to  WAINWRIGHT)  Nothing. 
There's  a  man  we  cat!  depend  on  more.  You  know 
as  well  as  I  do  that  it's  mighty  convenient  at  times 
to  have  your  case  come  up  before  the  right  judge. 

WAINWRIGHT.  He'll  do.  Let  him  have  the  nom 
ination. 

HORIGAN.  Sure,  if  you  want  it.  Anyway,  it's 
best,  to  keep  these  judges  on  the  anxious  seat  a  bit — 
it  teaches  'em  their  place !  And  now  shall  we  get  to 
business. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  (Crosses  to  GIBBS  R.  c.)  Then  you'll 
excuse  my  saying  it  but  I  never  talk  business  before 
a  third  party.  Mr.  Wainwright  knows  that. 

GIBBS.  A  very  good  rule  indeed,  Mr.  Horigan. 
I'm  glad  to  have  met  you. 

HORIGAN.    Huh!    Huh!     (Crosses  R.) 

GIBBS.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  I'll  join  the  others. 
(GIBBS  exits  c.  to  R.) 

HORIGAN.    Well. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Just  a  minute.  (BUTLER  ap 
pears)  See  that  I  am  not  disturbed. 

BUTLER.    Yes,  sir.     (Exits) 

HORIGAN.    And  now?    (Sits  in  chair  R.) 


36  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (R.  of  table)  What  do  you  think 
your  chances  are  at  the  coming  election  ? 

HORIGAN.  With  plenty  of  money  and  the  right 
man — we  can  win. 

WAINWRIGHT.    That's  what  I  think. 

HORIGAN.    And  we've  got  to  have  the  right  man. 

WAINWRIGHT.  And  we'll  get  him.  Now  the 
point  is  this.  The  Borough  street  Railway,  after 
the  election  will  apply  to  the  City  Council  for  a 
franchise  for  a  line  from  the  docks  to  the  river  by 
way  of  Union  St.  and  Franklin  Ave. 

HORIGAN.  And  as  you  own  the  City  Surface 
Line  which  is  the  Borough's  rival  you  want  the 
franchise  killed  when  it  comes  up  before  the  Alder 
man. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Not  at  all.  I  want  the  franchise 
granted  and  I  want  it  to  be  perpetual. 

HORIGAN.  You  want  it — !  (Rises  and  listens) 
What's  that? 

WAINWRIGHT.    What? 

HORIGAN.    That  ticking? 

WAINWRIGHT.  It's  my  private  wire — in  there. 
(Points  R.) 

HORIGAN.  Is  there  an  operator?  (Going  to 
WAINWRIGHT) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    Suppose  he's  listening. 

WAINWRIGHT.    He  isn't. 

HORIGAN.    Suppose  he  is. 

WAINWRIGHT.  He's  my  private  secretary — been 
with  me  for  years.  He's  the  one  man  I  can  trust. 

HORIGAN.  Just  the  same  I  don't  want  him  to 
overhear  this.  Send  him  away. 

WAINWRIGHT.  He's  all  right  I  tell  you.  Don't  be 
unreasonable. 

HORIGAN.    If  you're  sure. 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  am.  (HORIGAN  crosses  to  L., 
back  of  table)  As  I  said  before — I  want  the 
franchise  passed. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  37 

HORIGAN.  I  heard  it  but  I  don't  understand  it — 
what's  the  game?  The  Charter  of  the  Borough 
Company  becomes  void  if  it  is  merged  with  your 
line. 

WAINWRIGHT.  But  there's  nothing  to  prevent 
one  man  from  owning  both  roads  and  running 
them  separately,  is  there? 

HORIGAN.     No. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Well  I  own  both  roads. 

HORIGAN.    You  do. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Rises,  moves  to  c.)  I  have  al 
ready  secured — very  cautiously — a  majority  of 
Borough  Stock,  and  I  am  adding  to  my  interest  every 
day  though  nobody  knows  it  but  you,  Gibbs  and  my 
self.  Can  you  see  what  will  happen  to  Borough 
Stock  after  the  franchise  is  granted  and  the  news 
of  my  control  becomes  known  ?  (In  front  of  table 
c.) 

HORIGAN.    It  will  go  kiting. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Goes  to  HORIGAN)  I  imagine 
that  it  will !  And  now,  you  have  it.  (Crosses  doivn 

L-) 

HORIGAN.    And  the  franchise  is  to  be  perpetual. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  The  people  will  make  an  awful 
scream. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Much  good  it  will  do  them  if  we 
have  the  votes. 

HORIGAN.  Well — how  does  it  interest  me? 
(Moves  R.  and  sits  in  chair  R.  of  table) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Moves  up  to  HORIGAN)  I  am  a 
firm  believer  in  the  present  administration.  I  am 
willing  to  give  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  to 
ward  the  expenses  of  the  coming  election  to  help 
keep  the  present  party  in  power. 

HORIGAN.  That's  fair  enough  but — (R.  c. 
HORIGAN  points  to  himself) 

WAINWRIGHT.      I    will   carry   fifteen    thousand 


38  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

shares  of  Borough  stock  for  your  account  at  the 
market  price,  sixty-three. 

HORIGAN.     Yes-? 

WAINWRIGHT.  In  two  days  after  the  franchise 
is  granted  the  stock  should  jump  twenty-five  points. 
That  would  give  you  a  profit  of  three  hundred  and 
seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  (Turns  away  a 
little) 

HORIGAN.  Three  hundred  and  seventy-five  thou 
sand  for  me,  and  you  will  make  millions!  (Rises) 
I  thought  I  was  a  better  friend  of  yours  than  that. 

WAINWRIGHT.    You  did? 

HORIGAN.  (Moves  to  WAINWRIGHT)  I  value 
my  friendship  at  twenty-five  thousand  shares  at  the 
present  market  price.  Then  if  the  stock  does  ad 
vance  as  you  say  it  will,  and  I  sell  out,  I  shall  make 
— a  little  over  six  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Well — I  hardly  expected — that — ! 

HORIGAN.  What's  the  use  of  beating  about  the 
bush  ?  You  need  me  and  those  are  my  terms.  You 
can  take  them  or  leave  them. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (R.  c.)  They  are  higher  than  I 
expected  but  rather  than  have  any  misunderstand 
ing 

HORIGAN.     (R.)     You  accept? 

WAINWRIGHT.    I  do. 

HORIGAN.  Then  it's  settled.  (Offers  hand  to 
WAINWRIGHT)  And  now  about  the  election.  We 

must  have  the  right  man  for  Mayor — we  must ! 

(HORIGAN  stops  and  looks  quickly  at  door) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Goes  toward  HORIGAN)  What 
is  it? 

HORIGAN.  Nothing.  (From  this  point  HORIGAN 
quietly  works  toward  door  R.  up  and  down)  With 
the  wrong  man  we  haven't  the  ghost  of  a  chance. 
We  might  as  well  not  make  the  fight  if  our  candidate 
isn't  right.  I've  been  thinking  this  thing  over.  I've 
been  thinking  it  over— and— (HORIGAN  suddenly 
opens  door  R.  THOMPSON  enters  quietly  with  a  mes- 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  39 

sage.  He  gives  it  to  WAINWRIGHT  and  exits  again 
R.  without  a  word.  HORIGAN  closes  door  and  stands 
with  his  back  to  it.  There  is  a  pause)  He  was 
listening. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Nothing  of  the  kind. 

HORIGAN.  (Goes  to  WAINWRIGHT)  He  was,  I 
tell  you. 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  don't  believe  it.  I  have  to  trust 
someone — and  he'b  the  one. 

HORIGAN.  (Crosses  to  L.)  I  don't  trust  nobody. 
I  write  no  letters,  I  sign  no  receipts,  I  keep  no  ac 
counts,  I  have  no  witnesses.  It's  my  word  and  the 
other  fellow's.  I  keep  mine  and  I  see  that  he  keeps 
his.  As  for  that  man.  (Pointing  off  R.)  Watch 
him.  (The  above  was  the  method  and  policy  of 
CROCKER) 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  don't  have  to.  I've  tried  him 
and  I  know.  (He  shrugs  shoulders)  You  were 
saying  about  the  man  for  Mayor?  (Moves  to 
HORIGAN) 

HORIGAN.  He's  got  to  be  a  man  the  public  knows 
nothing  against.  A  machine  man  won't  do.  A 
corporation  man  won't  do.  A  politician  won't  do. 

WAINWRIGHT.    What  do  you  want — an  angel? 

HORIGAN.  I'd  like  a  young  man — a  man  of  fine 
family — a  man  with  a  good  name — a  young  man 
with  money,  so  the  people  won't  think  he's  after  the 
graft — a  man  the  public  thinks  is  out  to  do  his  duty, 
but  one  we  know  we  can  handle. 

WAINWRIGHT.    I  see.    How  would  Gibbs  do? 

HORIGAN.  No.  He's  a  Stock  Exchange  and 
Coroporation  man. 

WAINWRIGHT.    There's  young  Sawyer. 

HORIGAN.    A  fool — and  his  face  advertises  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Young  Farley. 

HORIGAN.  He  wears  a  monocle.  That  kills  him 
before  he  starts. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Have  you  thought  of  anybody? 


40  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

HORIGAN.  Do  you  know  a  chap  named  Bennett — 
Alwyn  Bennett — 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    What's  the  matter  with  him? 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  should  never  have  thought  of 
him. 

HORIGAN.  Why  not?  He  comes  nearer  filling 
the  bill  than  anybody  I  know.  His  father  was  one 
of  the  organization  too  and  got  some  big  contracts 
from  it  years  ago. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Reflectively)  Bennett!  (Going 
a  little  to  R.) 

HORIGAN.  I  met  young  Bennett  last  election  when 
he  came  to  help  Lorimer  just  for  the  fun  of  the 
thing.  The  boys  all  liked  him.  He  was  a  good 
mixer — and  made  a  fine  speech.  I  think  he's  our 
man. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Perhaps  he  is.    He's  here. 

HORIGAN.    Here  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  ( Going  to  bell  on  wall  L.  HORIGAN 
goes  R.  a  little)  He's  a  neighbor  of  ours.  I'll  send 
for  him.  (Rings  bell  BUTLER  appears)  Tell  Mr. 
Bennett  I'd  like  to  see  him  as  soon  as  convenient. 
( BUTLER  exits  c.  to  R.)  I  imagine  he'll  do.  (WAIN- 
WRIGHT  comes  down) 

HORIGAN.    Wait.    Can  we  handle  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  think  so.  He's  in  love  with  my 
niece. 

HORIGAN.    Oh ! 

WAINWRIGHT.  And,  until  her  brother  is  twenty- 
five  I  control  the  money  their  father  left  them. 

HORIGAN.     (Going  R.)    Oh!    Easy! 

WAINWRIGHT.    Then  it's  Bennett. 

HORIGAN.    Yes,  if  he  agrees. 

(MILLS  enters.) 

MILLS.  Mr.  Bennett  is  playing  tennis,  sir.  He 
says  he'll  be  here  in  a  moment.  (MILLS  exits  L.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  41 

HORIGAN.  Tennis !  We'll  teach  him  a  better 
game  than  that.  (R.) 

(Enter  BENNETT  to  back  of  table 

BENNETT.    You  want  to  see  me. 

WAINWRIGHT.    I  do.    You  know  Mr  Horigan. 

BENNETT.  Certainly.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  meet 
ing  Mr.  Horigan  at  the  last  election.  (Going  down 
R.  To  HORIGAN)  How  do  you  do? 

(HORIGAN  nods.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  Mr.  Horigan  and  I  have  just  been 
discussing  you. 

BENNETT.    Yes? 

WAINWRIGHT.  How  would  you  like  to  run  for 
Mayor  ? 

BENNETT.    For  Mayor? 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

BENNETT.    Stop  your  joking. 

HORIGAN.  We're  not  joking.  (Goes  to  BENNETT) 
I  control  the  nomination.  It's  yours  if  you  want  it. 

BENNETT.    Really? 

HORIGAN.    Yes. 

BENNETT.  You  take  my  breath  away !  Why,  oh, 
why,  have  you  selected  me  ? 

HORIGAN.  Because  we  want  you.  (Up  to 
BENNETT) 

BENNETT.    That  answers,  but  doesn't  explain. 

HORIGAN.    It'll  be  a  hard  fight. 

BENNETT.  Now  I  see.  You  think  you  have  no 
chance  and  have  chosen  me  for  the  sacrifice.  Offer 
received  but  declined  with  thanks.  (Goes  up) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Mr.  Horigan  expects  to  win. 

HORIGAN.  That's  what  I  do.  But  win  or  lose 
it's  a  fine  chance  for  a  young  man  to  show  what  he's 
made  of. 


42  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  (Reflectively)  So  it  is.  So  it  is. 
(Going  down  a  little) 

HORIGAN.  See  what  it  means  if  you  win.  Even 
if  you  lose  you'll  make  a  name  for  yourself. 

BENNETT.  (To  HORIGAN)  If  I  accept  do  you 
really  think  there's  a  fighting  chance? 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    And  more — there's  a  great  chance. 

BENNETT.    Then  I  accept. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Good ! 

HORIGAN.    Fine! 

BENNETT.  But  if  I  am  elected  I  shall  keep  my 
oath  of  office.  (Crosses  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Certainly. 

(BENNETT  crosses  down  R.) 

BENNETT.  Don't  make  any  mistake,  gentlemen,  I 
mean  that.  If  elected  I  shall  keep  my  oath  of  office. 

HORIGAN.  (L.  c.  BENNETT  R. — WAINWRIGHT  c.) 
Sure  you  will,  sure.  Sure  you  will. 

(To  WAINWRIGHT.) 
CURTAIN. 


ACT  II. 

SCENE: — The  action  takes  place  in  the  executive 
office  of  the  MAYOR.  It  is  a  high,  noble-looking 
room,  the  mural  decorations  of  which  are  quiet 
and  dignified,  and  the  furnishings  and  furniture 
in  accord  with  them.  The  MAYOR'S  flat  desk  is 
R.  and  several  chairs  are  about  office.  There 
are  two  entrances  one  about  L.  2  from  the  wait 
ing  room;  and  one  R.  above  the  desk  and  leading 
to  an  inner  office.  The  time  is  about  seven 
months  later  than  ACT  I.  It  is  afternoon. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  43 

DISCOVERED  -.—When  the  curtain  rises  CYNTHIA 
enters  from  L.  dressed  as  if  for  the  street, 
crosses  the  stage  and  exits  R.  INGRAM  enters  R. 
and  stands  waiting  for  CYNTHIA  to  re-enter. 
He  is  a  man  of  about  sixty,  not  above  the\ 
average  height  and  a  little  feeble.  He  wears  a 
door-keeper's  uniform,  he  has  in  hand  the  list 
of  appointments  for  the  afternoon  and  for  the 
following  morning.  CYNTHIA  re-enters  R.  hav 
ing  taken  off  her  hat  and  coat. 

CYNTHIA.  (Crosses  to  table  c.)  What  is  it, 
Ingram  ? 

INGRAM.  I  was  wondering  if  this  was  all  his 
Honor's  appointments  for  this  afternoon,  miss. 
(Crosses  to  R.  of  table) 

CYNTHIA.  Well  see.  (CYNTHIA  goes  to  desk, 
picks  up  a  sheet  of  paper  and  looks  at  it)  First, 
there's  Alderman  Phelan. 

INGRAM.    Yes,  Miss. 

CYNTHIA.    Then  there's  Mr.  Wainwright. 

INGRAM.    Is  that  all,  Miss? 

CYNTHIA.    Yes,  Ingram. 

INGRAM.    It's  very  light  for  this  afternoon. 

CYNTHIA.    Isn't  it. 

INGRAM.  Could  we  compare  the  appointments  for 
to-morrow  morning  now? 

CYNTHIA.  Certainly.  (Picks  up  another  sheet) 
The  Comptroller  at  nine-thirty. 

INGRAM.    Yes. 

CYNTHIA.  Then  the  report  from  the  Board  of 
Estimate — then  the  District  Attorney — then  the 
Committee  on  the  new  water  supply — then  the  chief- 
of -police — then  a  delegation  from  the  Citizens 
Union,  and  then  Alderman  Roberts. 

INGRAM.  Thank  you.  I  wouldn't  like  there  to  be 
any  mistake.  It's  been  many  a  day  since  the  wrong 
party  got  past  my  gate.  (Moves  a  little  R.) 

CYNTHIA.    How  long  have  you  been  the  Mayor's 


44  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

door-keeper.    (Moves  to  L.  of  table  and  sits  in  chair) 

INGRAM.    Twenty-five  years,  Miss. 

CYNTHIA.    What  a  long  time. 

INGRAM.  I've  seen  them  come  and  I've  seen  them 
go,  but  His  Honor's  the  youngest  man  I've  ever  seen 
in  that  chair.  It's  a  great  responsibility  he  has. 

CYNTHIA.    Yes,  indeed. 

INGRAM.  And  to  think  I  knew  his  father  before 
him — that  I  served  under  him  during  the  war. 

CYNTHIA.    Does  Mr.  Bennett  know  that? 

INGRAM.  Not  from  me,  Miss,  I  wouldn't  presume 
to  tell  him. 

CYNTHIA.    Oh,  wouldn't  you? 

(INGRAM  hands  mail  to  CYNTHIA.    CYNTHIA  begins 
to  open  the  letters.) 

INGRAM.  (Still  gently.  Moves  to  front  of  table 
and  gives  letters  to  CYNTHIA)  The  people  that  try 
to  get  past  my  gate — and  the  excuses  they  invent — 
and  the  lies  they  tell.  They  worried  me  for  a  long 
time,  but  I'm  used  to  it  now. 

CYNTHIA.       (Indicating    correspondence)      The 
private  secretary  and  I  have  our  troubles  too. 
_  INGRAM.     It's  the  same  way  at  the  Administra 
tion  Ball.    Lots  of  people  have  tried  to  get  by  me, 
but  I've  shown  them 

CYNTHIA.  The  Administration  Ball  is  a  great 
occasion,  I'm  told. 

INGRAM.  Indeed  it  is,  Miss.  Everybody  in 
politics  goes.  So  do  many  of  the  big  moneyed  men 
too. 

CYNTHIA.    It  must  be  funny  to  see  them  dancing. 

INGRAM.    It  isn't  to  dance  they  go,  Miss. 

CYNTHIA.  They  go  because  they  know  they'll 
meet  the  people  they  want  to  meet.  Why  some  of 
the  biggest  deals  made  are  arranged  the  night  of 
the  Administration  Bill.  (PERRY  knocks  on  door  R. 
Enters)  Mr.  Wainwright !  (Rises) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  45 

PERRY.  How  did  you  guess?  (Bus.  toward 
desk) 

INGRAM.  It's  all  right  for  the  gentlemen  to  wait 
here,  isn't  it,  Miss. 

CYNTHIA.    Certainly.     (Sits) 

INGRAM.  That's  what  I  thought,  Miss.  That's 
what  I  thought.  (  INGRAM  exits  R.) 

PERRY.  (Goes  to  desk)  And  how  is  the  assistant 
private  secretary? 

CYNTHIA.  Pardon  me.  Mr.  Walters  is  away  this 
afternoon  and  I  am  secretary  pro  tern. 

PERRY.    Pardon  me! 

CYNTHIA.  And,  now,  permit  me  in  my  official 
capacity  as  secretary  pro  tern,  to  ask  what  are  you 
doing  here? 

PERRY.  I  have  a  message  for  His  Honor,  nobody 
sent  it  but  I  thought  I'd  bring  it  just  the  same. 

CYNTHIA.    His  Honor  is  not  back  from  lunch. 

PERRY.  I've  something  for  you — as  well.  (Going 
back  of  desk  around  desk  to  L.  of  CYNTHIA) 

CYNTHIA.  Yes?  (Rises  and  goes  in  front  of 
desk) 

PERRY.  A  photograph.  (PERRY  hands  photo 
graph  to  CYNTHIA) 

CYNTHIA.    Why,  it's  Betty  and  Prince  Charlie. 

PERRY.  Yes.  You  evidently  didn't  notice  it,  but 
I'm  there,  too !  There  I  am  at  the  end  of  the  leash ! 
At  this  end — not  that. 

CYNTHIA.  I  saw  you  of  course,  but  the  dogs — 
the  darling  dogs !  (She  kisses  the  picture) 

PERRY.  You  see  me — but  you  kiss  them.  That's 
the  first  time  I  ever  wished  I  was  a  dog. 

CYNTHIA.  Don't  be  foolish.  Do  you  know  what 
I'm  going  to  do  with  this  ? 

PERRY.     I  can  imagine. 

CYNTHIA.    What? 

PERRY.  (Position  to  go  R.  of  desk.  Crosses 
around  back  of  desk)  Cut  out  the  dogs'  heads, 
place  one  each  side  of  your  locket,  wear  them  next 


46  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

your  heart,  and  throw  the  rest  of  it  in  the  waste- 
paper  basket. 

CYNTHIA.  Nothing  of  the  kind;  I'm  going  to 
frame  it,  just  as  it  is,  and  write  underneath  it: 
"  The  Darlings." 

PERRY.  (Going  to  desk .R.  and  leaning  hands  on 
it.  Bending  towards  CYNTHIA)  Why  not  write: 
"  The  Three  Darlings." 

CYNTHIA.    Because  there  are  only  two. 

(BENNETT  enters  R.) 

BENNETT.    Hello,  Perry. 

PERRY.  Why,  hello,  Alwyn,  I  mean  "Your 
Honor." 

BENNETT.  (Gives  hat  to  INGRAM)  None  of  that. 
What  brings  you  this  time.  (Taking  off  gloves  and 
coming  down  R.) 

PERRY.  I  have  a  message  for  you — (Crosses  R., 
to  BENNETT) 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

PERRY.    Dallas  is  home. 

BENNETT.    What  did  she  say  ? 

PERRY.    Say  ? 

BENNETT.    Yes.    The  message. 

PERRY.    Oh,  the  message. 

BENNETT.    Certainly. 

PERRY.  Of  course,  the  message.  (To  CYNTHIA) 
See,  he  wants  to  know  about  the  message 

BENNETT.    Well,  what  were  you  to  tell  me? 

PERRY.    Why,  I  was  to  tell  you — I  was  to  tell 


you 

BENNETT.    Yes 

PERRY.    I  was  to  tell  you — that  she's  home. 

BENNETT.     (Comes  to  PERRY)     Did  Dallas  say 
you  were  to  tell  me  that  ? 

PERRY.    No. 

BENNETT.    Then  whom  is  the  message  from? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  47 

PERRY.  From  me !  She's  home ;  came  this  morn 
ing. 

BENNETT.  I  know  it.  (Gives  coat  to  INGRAM. 
INGRAM  exits  R.  Going  to  chair,  back  of  desk,  and 
sitting  there.  PERRY  goes  to  R.  of  desk}  The 
Custom  House  'phoned  me  the  minute  the  boat  had 
docked.  Don't  you  come  here  with  any  such  excuses. 

PERRY.  (To  CYNTHIA)  What  do  you  think  of 
that !  Dallas  gets  back  from  a  six  months'  trip  to 
Europe ;  I  came  up  here  specially  to  tell  him  about  it, 
and  he  accuses  and  reproaches  me.  Talk  about 
ingratitude.  (Goes  R.  a  little) 

CYNTHIA.    Awful. 

BENNETT.    How  is  she — well  ? 

PERRY.  Yes,  and  looking  fine.  (Going  to  R.  of 
desk) 

^  BENNETT.  I  don't  suppose  she  happened  to  men 
tion  me. 

PERRY.    No,  oh,  no. 

BENNETT.    No ! 

PERRY.  Only  asked  about  seven  thousand  ques 
tions  the  first  five  minutes.  That's  all. 

BENNETT.  What  did  she  ask  about  me !  (Crosses 
down  to  PERRY  R.) 

PERRY.  Why — she  asked  whether  you  still  had 
the  same  watch  charm— if  you  parted  your  hair  on 
the  side — what  colored  neckties  you  were  wear 
ing ! 

BENNETT.    Stop  it— and  tell  me. 

PERRY.  She  didn't  have  to  ask  what  kind  of  a 
campaign  you  made — she  had  kept  posted  on  that 
while  on  the  other  side— but  she  did  want  to  know 
all  about  this  Borough  Street  Railway  Franchise  the 
papers  are  full  of,  and  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  could  tell 
her. 

BENNETT.  Well,  I  haven't  time  to  instruct  you  in 
such  matters  now — (Crosses  to  back  of  table)  I 
think  I  shall  drop  around  to—your  house  for  a  few 
minutes  this  afternoon. 


48  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

PERRY.    What  did  you  say  ? 

BENNETT.    This  afternoon!    Your  house!    Me! 

PERRY.  (Moves  to  R.  of  table)  Oh,  you  beat 
Gibbs  with  the  fllowers  all  right.  Your  bunch  made 
his  look  like  Maggie  Murphy's  off-the-ice  roses  when 
the  picnic  is  over. 

BENNETT.  (PERRY  works  behind  BENNETT  to  L. 
of  him.  To  CYNTHIA)  We've  never  had  such  light 
engagement,  have  we? 

CYNTHIA.    No. 

BENNETT.    Ingram  will  think  he  has  a  half  holi- 

aCYNTHiA     He  and  I  had  quite  a  talk  just  now. 
Did  you  know  he  served  in  the  army  under  your 

father? 

BENNETT.    Did  he?  < 

CYNTHIA.    Yes.    (BENNETT  rings  belt) 

BENNETT.    Why  didn't  he  tell  me. 

PERRY  (Going  down  L.)  So  your  father  was  a 
soldier.  I  thought  he  was  an  engineer  and  con- 


.  That  was  afterwards.  (Note;  IN 
GRAM  enters  R.  BENNETT  plays  this  scene  with  com 
plete  sincerity  but  he  must  avoid  being  too  serious 
To  INGRAM  /INGRAM  crosses  to  R.  of  desk)  And 
you  served  under  my  father? 

INGRAM.    Yes,  your  Honor.    And  a  fine  soldier 

he  was,  too. 

BENNETT.    Can  you  recall  him  t 

INGRAM.  As  though  it  were  yesterday.  I  re 
member  him  first  as  a  Lieutenant  and  what  a  gay, 
light-hearted  boy  he  was.  He'd  always  a  pleasant 
word  for  everybody  and  wherever  there  was  fight- 
fog  he'd  be  in  it  if  he  could  get  there.  We  would 
have  died  for  him. 

BENNETT.    Dear  old  Dad! 

INGRAM.  After  we  were  mustered  out  I  didnt 
see  him  for  over  twenty  years  I  know  that  bed 
gone  into  business,  and  was  the  head  of  a  big  con- 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 


49 


tracting  firm,  but  I  didn't  set  eyes  on  him  until  one 
day  he  came  to  that  very  gate  out  there.  I  knew  him 
in  a  minute  and  saluted.  He  looked  at  me  for  a 
second  and  then  said ;  "  Bless  me,  if  it  isn't  Ingram." 
He  remembered  me  after  all  that  time.  He  was  a 
fine  man  if  ever  there  was  one,  and,  if  your  honor 
will  excuse  me,  you  should  be  proud  of  having 
such  a  father. 

BENNETT.    I  am  proud,  Ingram.    (Rises) 

INGRAM.  I  saw  him  often  after  that,  sir.  He 
built  the  big  aqueduct  and  the  library  building  and 
had  to  come  here  to  talk  things  over  with  the  Mayor, 
and  the  City  Engineer.  He  still  had  the  pleasant 
word,  and  many  a  time,  when  he  had  to  wait  a 
minute,  we've  sat  out  there  and  talked  about  the 
old  times  that  would  never  come  back  for  either  of 
us. 

BENNETT.  (Giving  INGRAM  his  hand)  We'll 
often  talk  about  them,  too. 

INGRAM.  Thank  you,  your  Honor!  Is  that  all, 
your  Honor? 

BENNETT.    All  for  the  present. 

INGRAM.  Then  just  once — for  your  father's 
son,  your  Honor — ( INGRAM  draws  himself  up — 
salutes  and  exits  R.) 

BENNETT.  (Very  sincerely)  For  my  father's 
son. 

CYNTHIA.  (Gently)  No  wonder  your  mother 
loved  him. 

PERRY.  (Getting  back  to  Comedy)  Ingram's 
all  right!  (Goes  to  the  R.  of  BENNETT,  crosses  in 
front  of  desk)  Say,  Alwyn,  I'd  like  to  see  any 
body  get  his  job  away  from  him. 

BENNETT.  (Lightly)  So  would  I.  (The  tele 
phone  rings,  CYNTHIA  answers  it) 

CYNTHIA.  Yes.  This  is  his  office— who  is  it 
wishes  to  speak  with  him!  Mrs.  Bennett!  How 
do  you  do.  Certainly.  (To  BENNETT)  Your 
mother.  (BENNETT  goes  to  'phone) 


50  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  (To  his  mother)  Hello,  mother, 
anything  wrong?  No?  I'm  glad  of  that — I'll  be  at 
liberty  very  soon,  but  I  was  going  out — certainly 
I'll  wait  if  you  won't  be  long — (PERRY  sits  in  chair 
R.)  What?  You  have  a  surprise  for  me,  a  pleasant 
one — what  is  it?  Do  tell  me — you  won't.  Very 
well — good-bye.  What  ?  No,  I  won't  go.  I'll  stay 
here  till  you  come.  Good-bye.  (BENNETT  replaces 
phone)  Mother  has  a  surprise  for  me. 

PERRY.  I've  been  surprised  over  the  phone,  too, 
and  generally  I  didn't  like  it. 

(INGRAM  enters  R.) 

INGRAM.    Alderman  Phelan,  your  Honor. 

BENNETT.     (To  PERRY)     By  appointment 

PERRY.  Then  I'm  off.  (Rises  and  moves  to  table 
R.  To  CYNTHIA,  above)  Good-bye. 

CYNTHIA.     Good-bye. 

PERRY.  (Goes  to  exit  R.  To  BENNETT)  Say, 
Alwyn,  don't  be  surprised  if  Dallas  sends  me  with 
another  message  to  morrow.  (PERRY  exits  R.) 

BENNETT.  You!  (Raises  book.  To  INGRAM) 
Show  Mr.  Phelan  in.  ( INGRAM  exits  R.  BENNETT 
sits  at  his  desk.  To  CYNTHIA)  Perry's  a  great 
boy,  isn't  he  ? 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  indeed.  (CYNTHIA  takes  some 
of  the  letters  she  has  opened  and  exits  L.  BENNETT 
picks  up  document  from  desk.  PHELAN  enters  R.) 

BENNETT.  Well,  Alderman,  if  I'm  not  mistaken 
this  is  the  first  time  you've  favored  me. 

PHELAN.  Yes,  your  honor,  this  is  my  first 
offense.  (Crosses  closer  to  table  R.) 

BENNETT.  Then  I  suppose  it's  something  of 
importance. 

PHELAN.  That  all  depends.  The  papers  said 
this  morning  that  you  were  going  to  veto  the 
Borough  Street  Railway  Franchise.  If  that's  so  I 
can  take  my  hat  and  go. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  51 

BENNETT.  That  was  unauthorized.  I  haven't 
announced  any  decision  on  the  bill  yet.  Here  it  is. 

PHELAN.  Then  I'm  glad  I've  come.  Honest, 
your  Honor,  that  bill's  the  coarsest  work  I've  seen. 
I'll  bet  that  some  of  the  men  that  voted  for  it  has 
to  go  thro'  the  door  sideways  to  get  out  with  their 
bundle.  (Sits  in  chair  R.) 

BENNETT.    You  didn't  vote  for  it. 

PHELAN.  Not  me.  I'm  not  one  of  Horigan's 
solid  thirteen.  I'm  no  bale  of  hay  for  him  to  buy 
and  sell  as  he  does  them. 

BENNETT.  Pardon  me,  Alderman,  but  judging 
from  your  generally  accepted  reputation  you 
should  be  the  last  to  say  such  things. 

PHELAN.  Did  you  ever  hear  about  set  a  thief  to 
catch  a  thief.  Well  that's  me  this  time. 

BENNETT.    You're  frank  enough  at  any  rate. 

PHELAN.  Sure,  when  I  do  the  talkin'  you  don't 
need  any  motion  pictures !  I've  been  through  the 
game  from  the  go  to  the  cases  and  this  Borough 
deal  is  the  roughest  yet.  They  must  have  thought 
you  easy  to  frame  up  a  thing  like  that  for  you. 

BENNETT.     Why? 

PHELAN.  Because  they  know  that  when  the 
public  gets  on  to  it — they  won't  consider  that  the 
Alderman  passed  it,  they'll  only  remember  that 
you — (Rises  and  crosses  to  R.  of  table)  signed  it. 
That's  what  they'll  remember — the  Franchise  bill 
that  Bennett  signed. 

BENNETT.  Why  do  you  trouble  to  tell  me  this. 
It  isn't  for  love  of  me,  is  it? 

PHELAN.  No,  it  ain't  exactly  for  love  of  you — 
it's  because  of  Horigan.  He's  back  of  this  bill  and 
it's  crookeder  than  a  footpath  through  a  pine  wood. 

(INGRAM  enters  R.) 
INGRAM.    Mr.  Wainwright,  your  Honor? 


52  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  He's  a  little  ahead  of  time;  may  I 
see  him? 

PHELAN.  Sure,  I  can  wait.  (BENNETT  nods  to 
INGRAM  who  exits  R.)  Where  shall  I  go?  (Goes 
L. — pointing  L.)  In  there? 

BENNETT.  (Going  R.)  Stay  here.  My  business 
with  Mr.  Wainwright  isn't  private. 

(WAINWRIGHT  enters  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Going  to  BENNETT)  How  do 
you  do? 

BENNETT.  (Rising.  They  shake  hands;  BEN 
NETT  indicates  chair  which  WAINWRIGHT  declines) 
It  was  good  of  you  to  come. 

WAINWRIGHT.      (To   PHELAN)     Alderman 

PHELAN.    How  do? 

BENNETT.     You're  acquainted. 

PHELAN.     From  'way  back. 

BENNETT.  Then,  as  your  time  is  valuable,  Mr. 
Wainwright,  I'll  go  to  the  point  at  once.  I  wanted 
to  get  your  opinion  of  the  Borough  Street  Railway 
bill. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Really — I — I  ? 

PHELAN.  He  owns  the  other  road;  he's  against 
it ;  give  him  a  hard  one. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Pardon  me,  but  I  don't  think  I 
am  against  it.  (R.  of  table) 

PHELAN.    What?     (Going  to  chair  L.  sits) 

WAINWRIGHT.    I'm  inclined  to  be  in  favor  of  it. 

PHELAN.  (Whistles  softly)  Phew!  (PHELAN 
watches  WAINWRIGHT  shrewdly) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (BENNETT  sits  in  chair  back  of 
desk)  My  line  is  the  Borough's  rival  in  a  sense — 
but  only  in  a  sense.  In  this  great  city  there  is 
room  for  both  of  us  to  live  and  prosper.  Why, 
then,  should  we  fight  each  other?  (WAINWRIGHT 
smiles  benignantly) 

PHELAN.    Ask  me? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  53 

WAINWRIGHT.  That  the  Franchise  will  be  bene 
ficial  to  the  Borough  people,  goes  without  saying. 
The  passing  of  the  bill  by  the  Council  caused  a  jump 
in  the  stock  from  63  to  81.  The  announcement  of 
your  veto,  which  I  am  assured  is  unauthorized, 
caused  a  drop  to-day  from  8 1  to  73.  So  you  see  the 
power  in  your  hands.  If  you  veto  the  Bill  the  stock 
will  drop  to  practically  nothing,  then  what  will  be 
come  of  the  widows  and  orphans  whose  money  is 
invested  in  it  ? 

PHELAN.  Take  my  advice,  see  a  Doctor.  You 
have  enlargement  of  the  heart. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Phelan  will  have  his  joke. 

(INGRAM  enters  R.) 

BENNETT.    Well? 

INGRAM.  A  man  who  says  his  name  is  Thompson 
has  a  message  for  Mr.  Wainwright,  and  says  he 
must  deliver  it  in  person. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  BENNETT)  My  private 
secretary. 

BENNETT.  (To  INGRAM)  Have  Mr.  Thompson 
come  in 

(INGRAM  exits  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  This  is  very  unusual.  I  wonder 
what  it  means. 

PHELAN.  (D.  L.)  If  my  private  secretary 
bothered  me,  I'd  fire  him  so  quick  the  movin'  picture 
machine  wouldn't  be  able  to  catch  his  movements. 
(THOMPSON  enters  R.  PHELAN  sees  THOMPSON 
and  eyes  him  curiously) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  BENNETT)  Excuse  me. 
(WAINWRIGHT  goes  to  THOMPSON)  Well? 

THOMPSON.  (Apart  to  WAINWRIGHT  quickly  R.) 
Mr.  Horigan  telephoned,  sir,  immediately  after  you 
left ;  I  told  him  you  were  here.  He  instructed  me 


54  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

to  come  and  to  say  to  you  that  he  wished  you  to  call 
on  him — at  once — as  it  was  urgent.  He  said  you 
would  know  where  to  find  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  THOMPSON)  Very  good. 
(He  goes  to  BENNETT.  PHELAN  still  eyes  THOMP 
SON.  To  BENNETT)  I  am  extremely  sorry  that  I 
can't  remain  to  discuss  the  question  further,  but  a 
most  important  matter  demands  my  immediate  at 
tention. 

BENNETT.    I  am  sorry,  too.     (Rises) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Going  R.  towards  exit)  Please 
consider  carefully  all  that  I  have  said.  If  I  am  not 
opposed  to  the  Franchise,  I  do  not  see  how  anyone 
else  can  reasonably  oppose  it. 

BENNETT.  I'll  consider  it.  Thank  you  for  com 
ing. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Come,  Thompson,  come. 

PHELAN.  Just  a  minute.  (THOMPSON  stops, 
PHELAN  crosses  R.  towards  THOMPSON.  To 
THOMPSON)  How  are  you? 

(THOMPSON  looks  at  PHELAN  and  then  replies  in 
the  tone  of  a  man  who  does  not  recognise  the 
one  addressing  him,  but  who  wishes  to  be 
polite.) 

THOMPSON.    How  do  you  do,  sir? 
PHELAN.    You  know  me,  don't  you  ? 
THOMPSON.    I  think  not,  sir. 
PHELAN.    You  don't  ? 
THOMPSON     No,  sir. 

PHELAN.  I'm  Phelan,  Alderman  Phelan  of  the 
Eighth. 

THOMPSON.    I  have  heard  of  you,  of  course,  sir. 
PHELAN.    But  have  never  met  me. 
THOMPSON.    Not  that  I  remember,  sir. 
PHELAN.    Mm ! 

(THOMPSON  exits  R.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  55 

BENNETT.  You  seemed  surprised  when  Mr. 
Wainwright  said  he  was  in  favor  of  the  franchise. 

PHELAN.  Well,  I  should  say  I  was.  (Moves  to 
R.  of  table)  He  smiled  when  he  said  it,  and  he  never 
smiles  unless  he  has  swallowed  the  canary. 

BENNETT.  Then  you  don't  think  he  was  prompted 
by  a  sense  of  justice. 

PHELAN.  He  has  no  more  sense  of  justice  than  a 
four-year-old  gorilla.  You  remember  that  affair 
about  Garrison,  the  bank  President— the  one  who 
was  thrown  down  by  his  friend  the  financier  ? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

PHELAN.    Do  you  know  who  the  financier  was? 

BENNETT.    No.    His  name  was  suppressed. 

PHELAN.  Wainwright!  That's  the  fellow. 
(Moves  down  R.) 

BENNETT.    Wainwright  ? 

PHELAN.    Yep. 

BENNETT.    (Raising)    You're  sure? 

PHELAN.    I  ought  to  be— I  suppressed  it. 

BENNETT.    You  ? 

PHELAN.    Me.    You  forgot  I  was  chief  of  Police 

BENNETT.  So  you  were,  and  it  was  Wainwright. 
(Rises  and  moves  down  to  L.  of  PHELAN) 

PHELAN.  It  was.  I  handled  the  case  myself .  bo 
you  see  he  had  a  fine  chance  to  talk,  "  justice  and 
"fairness"  to  me.  (Crosses  to  L.  c.)  There  s 
something  back  of  all  this. 

BENNETT.  You're  right  there  is.  It  was  at  his 
house  that  Horigan  offered  me  the  nomination. 

PHELAN.  I  wonder  if  that  was  the  day  he  sent 
forme.  I  met  that  fellow  Gibbs  there.  The  one  the 
papers  say  is  buyin'  Borough  Stock. 

BENNETT.    You're  getting  warm.    (Going  towards 

PHELAN) 

PHELAN.  We  ought  to  work  this  thing  out  to 
gether  and  when  I  get  Horigan  ril—- 

BENNETT.    I'll  have  no  quarrel  with  Horigan. 


56  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

PHELAN.  There  ain't  a  trick  in  this  game  I  don't 
know.  Let  me  put  you  wise  to  some  o'  the  things  in 
that  bill.  First  there's 

BENNETT.  I  know  pretty  nearly  all  there  is  to 
know  about  that  bill — I've  sat  up  nights  with  it 
alone  and  I've  spent  hours  over  it  with  my  counsel — 
I've  done  other  things,  too,  and  I  have  at  least  one 
surprise  in  store.  Because  I  have  been  quiet  it  does 
not  necessarily  mean  that  I  have  been  asleep. 

PHELAN.    Your  Honor,  you  are  all  right. 

BENNETT.  I'm  glad  you  came,  Alderman.  Our 
motives  are  different  but  the  end  is  the  same  and  we 
may  be  able  to  help  each  other. 

PHELAN.    You  bet  we  can. 

(INGRAM  enters  R.) 

INGRAM.    Mrs.  Bennett,  your  Honor. 
BENNETT.    Certainly. 

(INGRAM  exits.) 

PHELAN.    I  didn't  know  you  was  married? 
BENNETT.    My  mother. 
PHELAN.     (Going  L.)    Oh. 

(MRS.  BENNETT  enters  R.) 

BENNETT.    Mother. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  You'll  be  glad  you  waited, 
Alwyn.  (Crosses  to  R.  of  table.  DALLAS  enters  R.) 

BENNETT.  And  Dallas!  (Moves  to  DALLAS) 
Well,  this  is  a  surprise. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Didn't  I  tell  you? 

DALLAS.    How  do  you  do,  your  Honor ! 

BENNETT.  Now!  Now!  My,  but  I'm  glad  to 
see  you.  (Goes  to  DALLAS  and  shakes  hands,  talks 
ad  lib)  PHELAN  coughs)  Mother,  let  me  present 
Alderman  Phelan. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  57 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Mr.  Phelan ! 

PHELAN.    Ma'am. 

BENNETT.  And  this  is  Miss  Wainwright,  Alder 
man  Phelan. 

DALLAS.  (Going  L.,  crosses  to  PHELAN)  Alder 
man  Phelan,  who  gives  turkeys  to  the  poor  at 
Christmas  ? 

PHELAN.  Yes,  miss.  I  turkey  'em  in  the  winter 
and  I  picnic  'em  in  the  summer. 

DALLAS.    I've  read  of  your  picnics. 

PHELAN.  They're  the  days  of  my  life,  Miss.  I've 

had  as  many  as  twenty-five  hundred  at  one  of  'em 

most  of  'em  women  and  children  ;  women  who  never 
get  a  breath  of  fresh  ait;  and  children  who  never  see 
a  blade  of  grass  except,  when  I  take  'em  out.  It's 
a  happy  day  when  I  down  a  man  who's  agin'  me,  it's 
a  happy  day  when  I  help  a  man  who's  for  me,' but 
the  happiest  days  for  me  are  my  picnic  days 

BENNETT.  Why,  Phelan—  (Moves  to  back  of 
desk  c.) 

PHELAN.  I  know.  I  should  remember  the  old 
woman's  parrot.  (To  DALLAS)  Excuse  me,  Miss. 

DALLAS.    There's  no  need.    (Sits  L.  of  desk) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  But  where  is  Mr.  Gibbs  ?  (Sits 
R.  of  table) 

(BENNETT  places  chair  for  MRS.  BENNETT.) 
BENNETT.    Mr.  Gibbs! 

(NOTE:— MR.  GIBBS  plays  this  scene  smilingly  and 
with  every  appearance  of  good  nature.  En 
ters  R.) 

GIBBS.  Here  I  am.  I  stopped  for  a  word  with 
that  old  door-keeper  of  yours.  And  how  is  the 
Mayor  this  afternoon  ? 

BENNETT.    Quite  well,  thank  you. 

GIBBS.    Alderman!    (R.) 


58  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

PHELAN.    How  do. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  When  I  'phoned  you,  Alwyn,  I 
was  at  the  Wainwrights'.  I'd  dropped  in  to  see 
Dallas,  this  being  her  first  day  in  town.  Just  as  we 
were  ready  to  come  Mr.  Gibbs  called. 

GIBBS.  And  being  naturally  of  a  gallant  disposi 
tion  I  came  as  their  escort. 

BENNETT.  Very  kind  of  you,  indeed.  Sit  down, 
please.  I  think  we  have  enough  seats.  (To 
PHELAN)  Phelan. 

GIBBS.    I  can  stay  only  a  moment  so  I'll  stand  if 
you  don't  mind. 
PHELAN.    Me  too. 
BENNETT.    Certainly. 

GIBBS.  And  there  is  His  Honor,  the  man  who 
with  a  stroke  of  his  pen  can  send  Borough  stock  up 
to  ninety  or  a  hundred  or  down  to  practically  noth 
ing. 

DALLAS.    Can  Mr.  Bennett  do  that? 
GIBBS.     He  can,  indeed.     The  mere  announce 
ment  that  he  intended  to  veto  their  franchise  caused 
the  stock  to  break  eight  point  to-day. 
DALLAS.    Are  you  going  to  veto  it  ? 
BENNETT.    I  can't  tell. 

GIBBS.  Of  course  he  isn't — it  wouldn't  be  fair  to 
his  friends  ? 

DALLAS.    Why? 

GIBBS.  Well— it's  generally  understood  that  the 
men  back  of  the  bill  are  those  who  gave  him  his 
present  opportunity,  and  it  would  not  be  right  to  use 
his  power  to  the  disadvantage  of  those  who  gave  it 
to  him. 

BENNETT.  Whom  do  you  mean  by  "the  men 
back  of  the  bill  ?  " 

GIBBS.  I  am  merely  repeating  what  is  being  gen 
erally  said.  For  my  own  part  I'm  glad  the  break 
came  to-day.  It  enabled  those  who  believe  in  the 
stock  to  get  some  at  a  low  figure. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  59 

PHELAN.  It  is  being  "  generally  said  "  that  your 
firm  has  more  than  anybody. 

GIBBS.  We  have  our  share,  there's  no  denying 
that.  (To  DALLAS)  And  so  you  see,  Miss  Wain- 
wright,  how  openly  I  placed  myself  in  Mr.  Bennett's 
hands. 

BENNETT.    This  isn't  fair. 

j  GIBBS.  Why  not,  it's  perfectly  true.  You  can 
either  give  me  a  fortune  or  take  one  from  me.  (To 
DALLAS  and  MRS.  BENNETT)  I  am  not  in  the  least 
afraid.  I  know  he  will  do  the  right  thing. 

BENNETT.  (Moves  down  to  GIBBS  R.)  Mr. 
Gibbs,  you  have  no  right  to  thrust  this  information 
on  me  in  this  manner. 

GIBBS.  I  thought  I  was  paying  you  the  highest 
compliment  possible. 

BENNETT.  I  knew  your  position  fairly  well  be 
fore  you  stated  it,  but  it  will  not  influence  me  in  the 
least. 

GIBBS.    Certainly  not,  why  should  it? 

BENNETT.  You  can  answer  that  question  better 
than  I  can. 

GIBBS.    I'm  sorry  I  rufHed  you. 

BENNETT.    You  didn't. 

GIBBS.  But  I  must  say  that  I  see  no  reason  for 
your  abruptness.  Do  you,  Miss  Wainwright? 

DALLAS.    Really,  Mr.  Gibbs 

BENNETT.  Please  leave  Miss  Wainwright  out  of 
the  matter.  (A  slight  movement  to  D.  R.) 

GIBBS.  Anything  you  say!  Well,  my  minute's 
up!  Good-bye,  Mrs.  Bennett.  (MRS.  BENNETT 
bows)  Good-afternoon,  Miss  Wainwright. 

DALLAS.     Good-afternoon,  Mr.  Gibbs. 

GIBBS.    I  shall  see  you  again  soon  I  hope  ? 

DALLAS.    I  hope  so. 

GIBBS.  Thank  you.  (He  goes  to  BENNETT)  I'm 
sorry  you  misconstrued  what  I  said  but — (He  offers 
hand  with  every  appearance  of  frankness)  There's 
no  hard  feeling  I  hope. 


60  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.    Certainly  not.    (He  makes  the  best  of 
the  situation  and  takes  GIBBS'  hand) 
GIBBS.    I'm  glad.    Good-day. 
BENNETT.    Good-day. 
GIBBS.     (Going)    Alderman. 

(PHELAN  nods.    GIBBS  exits  R.) 

PHELAN.  I  think  I'll  be  movin'  too.  (To 
DALLAS)  Good-afternoon,  Miss. 

DALLAS.  (Rising  and  offering  hand)  Good- 
afternoon,  Alderman.  I'm  glad  to  have  met  you. 

PHELAN.  Thank  you?  Miss.  (PHELAN  crosses 
to  R.  To  MRS.  BENNETT)  Ma'am. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Good-afternoon.  I'm  glad  to 
have  met  you  too. 

PHELAN.  You're  sure  you  ain't  fishin'  for  an  in 
vite  to  one  o'  my  picnics.  (All  laugh)  Don't  for 
get  this,  though.  If  you  hear  of  any  woman  or  child 
that  would  like  to  go  let  me  know  about  it — and 
they  don't  have  to  belong  to  my  ward  either. 
(PHELAN  exits  R.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  really  didn't  wish  to  bring  Mr. 
Gibbs  but  when  he  offered  to  come  what  could  I  do  ? 

BENNETT.    I  understand,  mother. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Isn't  Dallas  looking  well? 

BENNETT.    (Crosses  to  c.)    Splendid. 

DALLAS.  Why  shouldn't  I  ?  I've  had  a  glorious 
holiday— England,  France,  Italy,  the  Mediterranean, 
Egypt — and  I've  lived  every  minute  of  it.  Even  the 
rough$  voyage  home  was  enjoyable.  They  simply 
couldn't  keep  me  off  the  deck. 

BENNETT.  Couldn't  have  kept  me  either  if  you 
were  there 

DALLAS.    Where's  Cynthia? 

BENNETT.  Here.  (BENNETT  opens  door  L.) 
Some  one  to  see  you. 

(CYNTHIA  enters  L.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  61 

CYNTHIA.    To  see  me. 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

CYNTHIA.     (Sees  DALLAS)    Dallas! 

DALLAS.    Cynthia.     (They  kiss) 

CYNTHIA.  Turn  around  and  let  me  look  at  you. 
(DALLAS  turns  around)  Heavenly.  Isn't  that  hat 
the  cutest  thing.  (To  BENNETT)  Did  you  ever  see 
anything  so  becoming  ? 

BENNETT.    Never. 

CYNTHIA.  Take  off  your  coat,  Dallas.  (BENNETT 
helps  take  off  DALLAS'  coat)  Take  if  off.  I  want 
to  see  what  the  dress  is  like.  (The  coat  is  off. 
CYNTHIA  eyes  DALLAS  critically)  Are  those — (De 
scribing  the  dress)  going  to  be  the  fashion? 

DALLAS.    They  are. 

CYNTHIA.  I  just  hate  them.  I  suppose  I'll  have 
to  wear  them,  though,  if  they're  going  to  be  the 
style. 

DALLAS.  I  suppose  you  will.  (To  BENNETT) 
I  know  what  you  are  thinking  "  Isn't  that  just  like  a 
woman." 

BENNETT.  No,  I'm  not.  (Goes  to  DALLAS) 
When  it  comes  to  following  the  styles  the  men  are 
just  as  bad. 

DALLAS.  They  are — but  you  are  the  first 
man  who  ever  acknowledged  it — (Goes  to  MRS. 
BENNETT)  Isn't  he? 

(CYNTHIA  comes  down  L.) 
MRS.  BENNETT.    I  think  so. 

(BENNETT  unseen  by  DALLAS  and  MRS.  BENNETT 
pantomimes  for  CYNTHIA  to  take  his  mother 
into  the  room  R.  After  bus.,  CYNTHIA  under 
stands.  ) 

CYNTHIA.  (To  MRS.  BENNETT)  Come  and  see 
my  room,  Mrs.  Bennett! 


62  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    I've  seen  it,  my  dear. 

CYNTHIA.  But  I  have  something  new  I  want  to 
show  you. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Oh!  What?  (Going  to 
CYNTHIA.  BENNETT  goes  up  a  little) 

CYNTHIA.    I  can't  tell  you.    It's  a  secret. 

DALLAS.    Can't  I  see  it,  too  ? 

BENNETT.    (Coming  down  and  interposing)    No. 

CYNTHIA.    Certainly  not. 

BENNETT.    This  is  a  secret  for  mother  alone. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    But,  my  dear 

(CYNTHIA  points  to  BENNETT  and  DALLAS. 
CYNTHIA  and  MRS.  BENNETT  exeunt  R.  There 
is  a  slight  pause.  Then  DALLAS  impulsively 
offers  her  hand  to  BENNETT.) 

DALLAS.    I'm  so  glad  to  see  you.     (R.  c.) 
BENNETT.      (Taking    DALLAS    hand)      Really? 

(L.  C.) 

DALLAS.    Really. 

BENNETT.  Then  I'll  tell  you  a  secret.  You're  not 
half  as  glad  as  I  am. 

DALLAS.  I  read  all  about  your  campaign.  Perry 
sent  me  the  papers  every  day. 

BENNETT.  I  always  knew  he  was  good  for  some 
thing. 

DALLAS.  They  arrived  in  bundles.  I  would  take 
them  to  my  room,  read  the  political  news  then  throw 
them  aside.  When  I  had  finished  I  looked  like  a 
lighthouse  surrounded  by  a  sea  of  newspapers. 

BENNETT.  (Going  to  DALLAS)  You  were  a 
lighthouse.  I  steered  my  course  by  you. 

DALLAS.  And  when  I  read  of  your  election,  and 
that  your  splendid  campaign  had  carried  the  whole 
ticket  to  victory — and  saw  what  the  papers  pre 
dicted  for  you — then  I  was  proud — proud  that  a 
man  had  found  himself  and  that  perhaps  I  had 
helped  him. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  63 

BENNETT.    You  did  it. 

DALLAS.  You  are  the  man  of  the  hour.  The 
youngest  mayor  the  city  has  ever  known.  And  what 
a  future  for  you. 

BENNETT.  It  isn't  the  future  I'm  thinking  about. 
It's  now,  this  very  minute.  (Pie  takes  both  her 
hands.  There  is  a  short  pause.  He  looks  at  her  ad 
miringly)  If  such  a  thing  were  possible,  you  look 
sweeter  than  ever. 

DALLAS.    Oh,  Alwyn. 

BENNETT.  Sweeter  than  ever!  I  meant  it  too 
when  I  said  "  You  did  it."  Why  did  I  accept  the 
nomination — because  I  thought  it  would  please  you. 
Why  did  I  work  as  I  did  during  the  campaign — be 
cause  I  thought  it  would  please  you. 

DALLAS.    It  more  than  pleases  me. 

BENNETT.  You  told  me  to  find  my  work,  I  think 
I  have  found  it.  You  told  me  to  do  it  to  the  best  of 
my  ability.  I  have  tried.  You  have  made  a  man  of 
me.  Whatever  I  have  done — you  are  the  cause  of 
it. 

DALLAS.    You  are  wrong. 

BENNETT.    You  were  the  cause  of  it. 

DALLAS.  No.  I  did  not  give  you  strength,  nor 
courage,  nor  determination,  nor  the  power  to  do 
things.  They  were  within  you — always. 

BENNETT.    If  they  were,  you  roused  them  to  life. 

DALLAS.  If  I  did,  I  thank  God  for  it.  You  are 
going  to  do  big  things  in  the  world,  big  things ! 

BENNETT.  No  matter  what  I  do,  it  will  mean 
nothing — unlers  you  share  it.  I  have  grown  since 
you  went  away.  As  I  have  grown  my  love  for  you 
has  grown.  It  is  the  one  thing  in  my  life — the  one 
thing  in  my  life — the  one  real  thing — success,  power, 
office  will  mean  nothing  without  you. 

(The  door  R.  opens  quickly  and  HORIGAN  enters. 
He  is  evidently  in  great  rage.  DALLAS  turns  up 
stage  R.  of  table  to  c.,  then  moves  down  L.) 


64  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

HORIGAN.  I'm  told  that  you — Oh.  I  didn't  know 
there  was  a  lady  here. 

BENNETT.  Well  there  is  a  lady  here.  (BENNETT 
crosses  to  HORIGAN) 

HORIGAN.    I'll  wait 

BENNETT.  (Indicating  out  R.)  They  should  have 
told  you. 

HORIGAN.  They  probably  did  only  I  didn't  stop 
to  listen.  Let  me  know  when  you're  ready. 

BENNETT.    You  needn't  wait. 

HORIGAN.  Oh,  yes,  I  need.  There  is  a  matter 
that's  got  to  be  settled  to-day — now.  (Indicating 
R.)  I'll  be  out  there.  (Exits  R.) 

DALLAS.    Who  is  he  ? 

BENNETT.    Horigan. 

DALLAS.    The — boss  ? 

BENNETT.  Yes.  Did  you  see  the  way  he  came  in 
here  as  though  he  were  the  proprietor  and  I  an  em 
ployee.  (Goes  L.)  If  he  thinks  that 

DALLAS.  Be  careful,  Alwyn?  (Goes  to 
BENNETT)  Remember  how  powerful  he  is. 

BENNETT.    He  won't  let  me  forget. 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  Promise  me  you'll  be  careful. 
I  know  how  headstrong  and  reckless  you  can  be. 

BENNETT.    Dallas. 

DALLAS.    I  saw  it,  you  know.    Promise  me 

BENNETT.    Very  well. 

DALLAS.    Thank  you.    My  coat,  please. 

(BENNETT  gets  coat  from  table  c.) 

BENNETT.    This  evening,  may  I  see  you? 
DALLAS.    Do. 
BENNETT.    I  will. 

(DALLAS  indicates  her  coat;  BENNETT  helps  her  to 
put  it  on.  BENNETT  goes  to  door  L.  DALLAS 
goes  to  door  R.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  65 

BENNETT.    Mother. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    (Off  L.)    Yes. 

BENNETT.    Dallas  is  going. 

(Crosses  back  of  table  to  door  R.    MRS.  BENNETT 
enters  L.  followed  by  CYNTHIA.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Is  she 

CYNTHIA.    So  soon 

(BENNETT  goes  to  door  R.  and  opens  door.) 

DALLAS.    A  gentleman  is  waiting  to  see  Alwyn. 
MRS.  BENNETT.     Oh.     (To  CYNTHIA)     Good 
bye,  dear 

CYNTHIA.     Good-bye. 

(MRS.  BENNETT,  crosses  to  door  R.) 

DALLAS.  (To  CYNTHIA)  When  are  you  coming 
to  see  me  ? 

CYNTHIA.  Some  evening  before  long,  I'll  'phone 
you. 

DALLAS.    Do. 

MRS.  BENNETT.     Good-bye,  Alwyn.     (Exits  R.) 

BENNETT.  Good-bye,  mother.  (To  DALLAS) 
Don't  forget,  I'm  to  see  you  to-night.  (At  door  R.) 

DALLAS.    I'll  remember. 

(DALLAS  exits,  closing  door  R.  There  is  a  short 
pause.  BENNETT  sits  at  his  desk.  HORIGAN 
enters.  His  anger  has  not  subsided  and  he 
shows  it  in  every  look  and  tone.  R.  of  table.) 

HORIGAN.    (His  anger  plainly  evident)    I  under 
stand  Phelan  was  here  this  afternoon. 
BENNETT.     (Quietly)    He  was. 
HORIGAN.    About  what  ? 
BENNETT.    Business, 


66  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

HORIGAN.    What  business  ? 

BENNETT.    My  business. 

HORIGAN.  Well,  I  want  you  to  understand  one 
thing.  No  man  can  be  friendly  with  Horigan  and 
Phelan  at  the  same  time.  It's  him  or  me.  Is  that 
plain ! 

BENNETT.  (Still  quietly)  Perfectly,  and  now  I 
want  you  to  understand  one  thing.  No  man  can 
bully  me  either  in  this  room  or  out  of  it.  Is  that 
plain  ? 

HORIGAN.    Do  you  mean  to  say 

BENNETT.  You  will  oblige  me  also  in  the  future 
by  aUeast  knocking  on  the  door  before  you  come  in. 
This  is  my  office  and  no  other  man's. 

HORIGAN.    Do  you  mean  to  say 

BENNETT.  (Playing  for  laugh)  That's  twice 
you've  said  that!  Is  it  your  hearing  or  my  speech 
that  is  defective? 

HORIGAN.  (Turns,  puts  coat  and  hat  on  table 
Rv  then  turns  to  R.  of  table)  Bennett,  you  and  me 
have  got  to  come  to  a  show  down.  You're  a  bright 
young  fellow;  you  made  a  great  fight,  and  won; 
the  public  likes  you  and  the  press  likes  you  and 
you're  the  best  material  the  party's  got  to-day.  If 
you  do  what's  right  there'll  be  nothing  you  can't 
have.  But  you've  got  to  do  what's  right. 

BENNETT.  What  do  you  mean  by  doing  what's 
right ! 

HORIGAN.  I  mean  you've  got  to  do  the  square 
thing  by  them  who  made  you. 

BENNETT.    And  who  did  make  me? 

HORIGAN.  Dick  Horigan.  Who  were  you  till  I 
took  you  up — nobody!  If  I  didn't  make  you  the 
mayor  of  this  town,  I'd  like  to  know  who  did. 

BENNETT.    The  people  did. 

HORIGAN.  The  hell  they  did.  (Moves  R.)  Who 
gave  you  the  nomination  ? 

BENNETT.  You.  I  admit  that.  But  the  people 
elected  me,  and  I'm  going  to  do  exactly  as  you  ad- 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  67 

vise.  (Rising  and  talking  across  the  desk)  I'm 
going  to  do  the  right  thing  by  those  who  made  me. 

HORIGAN.    You  mean  to  say 

BENNETT.  There  it  is  again!  However  I'll  tell 
you  this  time.  I  mean  that  before  I  sign  any  bill — 
(Takes  up  bill)  I've  got  to  know  that  it's  for  the 
good — not  of  the  party — not  of  the  organization, 
but  of  the  city.  I  told  you  I  should  keep  my  oath  of 
office,  I  intend  do  it. 

HORIGAN.    You'll  sign  that  bill  or 

BENNETT.    Or  what? 

HORIGAN.  Or  your  political  career  ends  right 
now.  You  think  you're  on  top  and  that  you  can  stay 
on  top  without  the  man  who  put  you  there.  But  you 
can't.  I  can  pull  you  down  just  as  easy  as  I  put  you 
up,  and  I'll  do  it  unless  you  sign  that  bill.  I  pledged 
my  word  on  it  long  before  the  election  and  you've 
got  to  do  it.  (Crosses  down  R.) 

BENNETT.  I  made  no  such  pledge.  Before  you 
did  you  should  have  been  sure  that  you  could  de 
liver  the  goods. 

HORIGAN.    Then,  you  won't  sign  it. 

BENNETT.  (Goes  to  HORIGAN.)  You  said  we 
should  have  to  come  to  a  show  down.  This  is  where 
we  do  it.  You  have  no  collar  on  my  neck,  I  wear  no 
man's  tag.  You  can't  sell  me  either  for  present  or 
future  delivery.  If  I  sign  that  bill  it  will  be  because 
I  think  it  an  honest  one,  not  because  you  agreed  that 
I  should  do  it. 

HORIGAN.  I  don't  care  why  you  sign  it — so  long 
as  you  do  sign  it. 

BENNETT.    Do  you  think  it  an  honest  bill? 

HORIGAN.  Do  I ! — What  do  you  take  me  for.  I 
don't  care  whether  it's  honest  or  not.  (Moves  down 

R.) 

BENNETT.  Well,  I  do,  and  I  think  it's  crooked. 

HORIGAN.  Oh,  you  do,  eh?  (Returns  to 
BENNETT) 

BENNETT.  Yes,  I  do.     (BENNETT  crosses  down 


68  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

to  HORIGAN  R.  )  It  permits  them  to  use  any  motive- 
power  they  please;  it  allows  them  to  charge  five- 
cent  fares  without  transfers;  the  little  joker  in 
paragraph  six  allows  them  to  build  a  subway  if  they 
desire  it ;  under  paragraph  eight  they  can  do  an  ex 
press  business ;  they  could  also  build  a  conduit  and 
rent  it  for  telegraph  or  telephone  wires;  in  fact  it 
gives  the  streets  absolutely  to  the  company  above 
and  below,  not  for  ten  years,  not  fifty  years,  not  for 
a  hundred  years,  but  forever.  This  franchise  de 
livers  to  the  Borough  Company,  bound  hand  and 
foot,  not  only  us,  but  our  children,  and  their  chil 
dren's  children  until  the  day  of  Judgment  and  I  tell 
you  that  the  time  for  such  things  has  gone  by,  never 
to  return. 

HORIGAN.    So  weVe  elected  a  reformer  have  we? 

BENNETT.  (Crosses  back  to  c.  of  desk)  I  was 
placed  in  my  position  to  protect  and  defend  the 
rights  and  property  of  my  constituents.  This  bill 
asks  me  to  give  away  a  franchise  for  which  I  am 
offered  two  million  dollars  cash. 

HORIGAN.    What  ? 

BENNETT.  I  thought  that  would  surprise  you.  In 
addition  to  this  cash  offer,  the  gentleman  agrees  to 
give  to  the  City  ten  per  cent  of  the  gross  receipts, 
and  to  turn  over  to  the  country  the  entire  plant  at  a 
fair  valuation  at  the  end  of  fifty  years  if  the  City 
desires  it. 

HORIGAN.  Who  does  that?  (Goes  to  desk. 
BENNETT  hands  him  the  letter)  I  guess  it  was  one 
of  those  yellow  newspapers.  You  don't  suppose  he 
means  it  do  you? 

BENNETT.  I'm  sure  he  does.  Besides  he  agrees 
to  deposit  a  check  for  one  million  dollars  to  bind  the 
bargain.  And  now,  why  is  the  Council  so  eager  to 
give  away  what  this  man  is  willing  to  pay  for  so 
liberally. 

HORIGAN.    How  should  I  know.     (Crosses  L.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  69 

BENNETT.  You  do  know,  and  yet  I'll  tell  you. 
The  answer  is  graft,  Mr.  Horigan — graft ! 

HORIGAN.  What  do  you  call  graft?  (Turns  and 
faces  BENNETT) 

BENNETT.  Graft  is  money  to  which  a  man  is  not 
morally  entitled.  (Sits  in  chair  c.) 

HORIGAN.  Then  every  man  is  a  grafter.  A 
lawyer  will  take  a  fee  for  showing  his  client  how  he 
can  break  the  law  and  evade  the  punishment — graft ! 
Churches  and  Colleges  accept  money  they  know  has 
been  obtained  by  fraud  and  oppression — graft ! — 
Newspapers  and  magazines  publish  advertisements 
they  know  to  be  fakes  and  worse — graft!  A  rail 
road  president  accepts  stock  in  a  firm  which  ships 
over  his  line — graft !  Senators  become  millionaires 
on  a  salary  of  seventy-five  hundred  dollars  a  year — 
graft !  And  so  it  goes,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor 
— they  all  graft,  in  fact  the  man  who  doesn't  graft 
hasn't  the  chance  or  else  he's  a  fool.  (Moves  down 
L.) 

BENNETT.  You're  wrong.  Honesty  pays  now 
just  as  it  always  has  done  and  always  will  do. 
Why  did  the  people  of  Wisconsin  send  La  Folette 
to  the  Senate — because  whatever  his  faults  they 
knew  he  was  an  honest  man !  Why  did  the  people 
of  Missouri  make  Folk  their  governor,  because  what 
ever  his  faults  they  knew  he  was  an  honest  man! 
And  why  did  the  people  of  the  United  States  make 
Roosevelt  President,  because  whatever  his  faults 
they  knew  he  was  an  honest  man !  This  bill  isn't 
honest,  but  I  am,  and  I  won't  sign  it. 

HORTGAN.  (Crosses  to  him}  Then  veto  it.  Veto 
it !  And  to  prove  what  I  think  of  the  newspapers — 
and  the  people — and  to  show  you  what  size  you  are 
and  what  I  think  of  you — I'll  pass  it  over  your  head. 

BENNETT.  It  takes  a  two-thirds  majority  to  do 
that.  You'll  need  fourteen  votes.  You  have  only 
thirteen.  I'll  see  that  you  don't  get  the  other. 


70  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

HORIGAN.  And  I'll  see  that  I  do.  (Down  L.  a 
little) 

BENNETT.  (Rises)  Moreover  I  know  there's 
bribery  here.  I'll  find  who  gives  it  and  Til  find  who 
takes  it  and  then  I'll  jail  them — everyone.  I'll  not 
only  jail  the  Alderman  who  takes  the  bribes,  J'll 
jail  the  "  gentleman  "  who  gives  them. 

HORIGAN.  (Moves  up  to  table)  Then  let  me  tell 
you  that  the  man  who's  back  of  this  bill,  the  man 
you'll  have  to  jail,  is  Mr.  Wainwright,  the  uncle 
of  the  girl  you're  in  love  with. 

BENNETT.    That's  no  great  news. 

HORIGAN.  Then  perhaps  this  is. — Every  dollar  of 
her  fortune,  and  every  dollar  of  her  brother's  fortune 
has  been  invested  by  Wainwright  in  Borough  Street 
Railway  Stock.  And  if  you  beat  this  franchise  you'll 
ruin  them  both.  You  hear,  you'll  rum  them  both — 
the  girl  and  her  brother.  And  now,  do  what  you  like 
about  it,  and  be  damned  to  you.  (BENNETT  takes 
pen,  writes  on  franchise  and  shows  it  to  HORIGAN) 
You've  vetoed  it. 

BENNETT.  I've  vetoed  it.  And  now  do  as  you 
like  about  it  and  be  damned  to  you. 

CURTAIN. 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  : — The  scene  is  a  parlor  in  the  Charlton  Hotel 
on  the  floor  where  the  administration  Ball  is 
being  held.  It  is  luxuriously  furnished  in  the 
manner  usual  to  such  rooms.  There  is  an 
entrance  c.  leading  to  a  hall  and  one  L.  leading 
to  another  room. 

(PERRY  and  CYNTHIA  enter  L.    Two  Step  at  Rise.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  71 

PERRY.    (L.  c.)    I  tell  you,  it's  true. 
CYNTHIA.    (L.)    It  can't  be. 
PERRY.    But  it  is.    Thompson  has  been  watching 
you  since  the  moment  you  came  in. 

(BENNETT  and  MRS.  BENNETT  enter  c.  from  L.  and 
go  down  stage  R.) 

CYNTHIA.  But  I've  never  even  seen  Mr.  Thomp 
son. 

PERRY.    I'll  keep  an  eye  on  Thompson. 

(CYNTHIA  sits  at  table  on  seat  down  stage.) 

BENNETT.  (To  CYNTHIA  c.)  Did  you  enjoy  the 
dance  ? 

CYNTHIA.    It  was  heavenly. 

PERRY.  (L.  c.)  If  there's  anything  better  than  a 
two-step — with  the  right  partner — all  a  man  has  to 
do  is  to  introduce  me  to  it,  and  I'm  mortgaged  to  him 
for  life. 

BENNETT.  As  you  once  said  "  Sailing  swan-like 
on  a  sea  of  bliss." 

PERRY,  (c.)  Exactly!  Can  you  see  a  swan — a 
snow-white  swan — with  web-feet  on  the  crest  of  a 
wave  like  that.  (Bus.)  Then  down  into  the  trough 
like  that!  (Bus.)  And  then — (With  bus.)  Up 
and  down — and  up  and  down — up  and  down !  Isn't 
it  poetic  ? 

CYNTHIA.  No  wonder  you  kept  me  waiting  if  I 
dance  like  that. 

(BENNETT  and  MRS.  BENNETT  laugh,  seated  R.) 

PERRY.    Ah,  but  you  don't !    You  don't ! 
BENNETT.    It's  on  you,  Perry.     (R.  c.) 
PERRY.     I  don't  care.     The  idea's  great.     (Going 
to  table  L.  ;  sits  R.  of  fable) 


72  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

( GIBBS  and  DALLAS  enter  c.  from  L.  as  if  from  the 
dance.) 

GIBBS,    (c.)    Mrs.  Bennett! 

(MRS.  BENNETT  bows.) 

DALLAS.  (To  MRS.  BENNETT)  May  I  sit  by 
you? 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Of  course. 

DALLAS.  (To  GIBBS)  Thank  you.  (DALLAS  sits 
by  MRS.  BENNETT)  Mr.  Gibbs  is  an  excellent 
dancer  but,  somehow — ! 

GIBBS,  (c.)  Somehow — to-night — he  did  not 
dance  quite  so  well  as  usual. 

DALLAS.  I  didn't  say  that.  In  fact  I  am  sure  the 
fault  was  mine. 

GIBBS.  That's  very  good  of  you.  (To  CYNTHIA) 
When  we  dance  I  hope  to  be  more  successful;  I 
shall  find  you  here  ? 

CYNTHIA.    Yes. 

GIBBS.    Thank  you !    ( GIBBS  bows  and  exits  c.  to 

R.) 

PERRY.  (To  CYNTHIA)  Are  you  going  to  dance 
with  him? 

CYNTHIA.    Why  not?    He's  a  splendid  partner. 

PERRY.  Of  course  I  don't  wish  him  any  hard 
luck — (Rises,  crosses  to  c.)  But  I  shouldn't  lose 
any  sleep  if  he  were  to  slip  and  sprain  his  ankle. 

DALLAS.    Perry ! 

CYNTHIA.    Did  you  ever! 

PERRY.  Very  well.  To  show  I'm  not  heard- 
hearted — make  it  his  right  ankle. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  You  don't  like  Mr.  Gibbs,  do  you, 
Perry  ? 

PERRY.    Not  so  that  you  would  notice  it. 

DALLAS.    Perry  plays  favorities. 

PERRY.  And  when  I  do  they  generally  win. 
(PERRY  sits  R.  of  table  L.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  73 

DALLAS.    I'm  not  dancing  the  next  dance. 

BENNETT.    Neither  am  I. 

PERRY.     (To  DALLAS)     But  the  following  one? 

DALLAS.     (Looking  at  program)     Mr.  Gibbs. 

PERRY.    Again  ? 

DALLAS.  They  are  rather  close  but  then — no  one 
else  asked  me. 

BENNETT.    The  next  to  that  is  mine. 

DALLAS.    Yes. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  hope  you  won't  quarrel  as  you 
did  when  you  were  children. 

DALLAS.    Did  we  ? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Often.  You  used  to  fight  with 
him  too 

PERRY.  There!  Don't  ever  talk  about  my  dis 
position. 

DALLAS.  I  don't  remember  it.  (To  BENNETT) 
Do  you? 

BENNETT.  Not  at  all.  I  remember  though  once 
when  I  had  an  apple  that  you  wanted — ! 

PERRY.  (Putting  up  his  hand)  Teacher,  I  know 
the  answer — she  took  it. 

BENNETT.    Go  to  the  head  of  the  class. 

(Bus.  for  PERRY  going  to  head  of  class.    Goes  and 
sits  on  chair  up  L.    Music  starts.) 

DALLAS.    Did  I  take  it  ? 

(BENNETT  nods.) 

BENNETT.  Strange  how  I  should  remember  a 
little  thing  like  that. 

DALLAS.  It  wasn't  little  then.  After  all,  time  is 
the  only  thing  that  can  give  us  a  sense  of  proportion. 

PERRY.    Meaning 

DALLAS.  What  seems  important  to-day  is  of  no 
importance  to-morrow,  and  the  thing  we  think  this 


74  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

year  we  can't  live  without,  next  year  we  wonder  why 
we  wanted  it  at  all. 

PERRY.  Don't  like  the  lesson.  Recess.  Recess. 
(PERRY  gets  up  and  joins  CYNTHIA.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    You  are  pessimistic  to-night. 

DALLAS.    Yes,  I  am. 

BENNETT.    Why? 

DALLAS.    A  mood,  I  suppose. 

PERRY.    What  does  she  mean. 

CYNTHIA.  (To  PERRY)  Why,  that  if  you — want 
a  girl  this  year — that  you  wouldn't — want  her  next 


year? 


(Music — March  P.  P.) 


PERRY.  (To  CYNTHIA)  There's  only  one  girl 
I  want  and  I  shall  want  her  forever  and  ever. 

CYNTHIA.  (To  PERRY)  There's  no  denying  it — 
you  are  a  nice  boy. 

PERRY.     (To  CYNTHIA)     I  am  crazy  about  you. 

( GIBBS  re-enters.) 

GIBBS.     (To  CYNTHIA)    Are  you  ready? 

CYNTHIA.  Certainly.  (To  PERRY)  Excuse  me. 
(CYNTHIA  and  GIBBS  exeunt  c.  to  L.  PERRY  follows 
up  c.  then  returns  down  R.  c.) 

PERRY.  (Down  c.)  Isn't  he  the  human  kill-joy! 
If  I  were  starving  and  a  piece  of  pie  was  in  front  of 
me  and  just  as  I  was  going  to  take  it  an  unseen  hand 
reached  out  and  snatched  it  away — I'd  say  "  Gibbs  " 
and  know  I  was  right. 

DALLAS.    He's  not  quite  so  bad  as  that. 

PERRY.  (Going  up  c.  L.)  Well,  I'm  going. 
There  are  some  people  I  like  to  watch. 

DALLAS.  (Going  to  PERRY  up  c.)  Take  me, 
please.  I  want  an  ice. 

BENNETT.    Let  me. 

DALLAS.    No,  thank  you. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  75 

BENNETT.    Oh,  Dallas ! 

DALLAS.  Please  stay  with  your  mother.  I  am 
coming  back. 

BENNETT.  Oh!  Thank  you.  (DALLAS  and 
PERRY  exeunt  c.  to  L.  Still  with  an  apparent  air  of 
buoyancy)  Great  affair,  isn't  it?  (Crosses  to 
mother) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    (Gently)    What's  wrong,  dear? 

BENNETT.    Wrong? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  You  can't  deceive  me,  Alwyn. 
Is  it— Dallas? 

BENNETT.    Why,  mother — ! 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  don't  think  you  have  been  to 
her  house  more  than  once  since  she  came  back. 

BENNETT.     She  is  living  with  her  uncle. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Well? 

BENNETT.  I  exposed  him  as  the  backer  of  the 
Borough  Franchise  Bill.  I  am  fighting  that  bill — 
and  Mr.  Wainwright — in  every  way  I  can,  and  I'm 
not  mincing  matters,  either.  Dallas  lives  in  his 
house.  Don't  you  see  ? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  hadn't  thought  of  it  in  that 
way.  How  unfortunate. 

BENNETT.  There's  another  thing — even  more 
unfortunate. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Well  ? 

BENNETT.     This  is  in  confidence — absolutely. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Certainly. 

BENNETT.  Her  fortune — and  Perry's — are  in 
vested  in  Borough  stock.  If  I  do  my  duty  and  defeat 
the  bill  I  ruin  them  both. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Alwyn ! 

BENNETT.  It  was  her  uncle's  doing.  He  thought 
to  tie  my  hands  by  it.  Clever  work,  wasn't  it? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  It  was  dastardly !  And  what  a 
position  to  place  you  in  !  My  poor  boy ! 

BENNETT.    I've  hit  on  a  way  of  saving  them. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Have  you.    How? 

BENNETT.    The  day  after  I  vetoed  the  bill  I  an- 


;6  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

nounced  openly  that  I  would  fight  it  to  the  end  and 
advised  all  owners  of  the  stock  to  sell  their  holdings. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Yes,  but  Mr.  Wainwright  replied 
that  the  bill  would  pass  and  told  the  stockholders  not 
to  sell. 

BENNETT.  He  did.  Well,  that  day,  I  sent  for 
Perry  and  explained.  On  my  advice  Perry  made  a 
demand  on  his  uncle  for  the  stock  which  belonged 
to  Dallas  and  himself. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    What  did  Mr.  Wainwright  do? 

BENNETT.  Refused  to  surrender  it  as  I  knew  he 
would. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    And  then  ? 

BENNETT.  Then  I  told  Perry  to  sell  short  an 
amount  equal  to  the  number  of  shares  owned  by  him 
and  Dallas  and  I  advanced  him  the  necessary  money. 
And  so,  no  matter  what  happens,  neither  he  nor 
Dallas  can  lose  a  dollar. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Has  Dallas  been  told  of  this? 

BENNETT.  Certainly  not.  I  want  her  love — not 
her  gratitude.  To  make  sure  that  she  shouldn't 
know,  I  made  Perry  give  me  his  word  of  honor  not 
to  tell  anyone  about  it  under  any  circumstances. 
He  also  promised  me  not  to  sell  one  share  more  than 
he  and  Dallas  held.  It  was  to  be  a  matter  of  protec 
tion  for  them — not  a  stock  speculation  for  profit. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Of  course — (Rises,  crosses  to  L. 
c.)  It  is  right  for  you  to  protect  the  interests  of 
Dallas  and  Perry  but,  in  the  meantime,  what  of 
Dallas,  herself? 

BENNETT.    Of  Dallas?    (Rises) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  And  you.  What  of  the  feeling — 
the  sympathy — between  you.  Is  it  as  before? 
(Short  pause.  Places  hands  on  his  shoulders)  Re 
member  I  am  your  mother,  and  I  love  you. 

BENNETT.  (Arms  about  her)  No,  it  isn't.  I  am 
constrained  because  I  can't  explain.  She's  con 
strained  because  she  knows  there  is  something  I 
don't  explain. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  77 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Why  not  tell  her  everything. 

BENNETT.  How  can  I  say,  "  I  love  you,  Dallas, 
but  I  am  not  only  opposing  your  uncle,  but  I  am 
trying  to  beggar  both  your  brother  and  yourself." 
In  any  case  it  is  only  till  Friday.  After  that  I  can 
make  everything  clear. 

(PHELAN  enters  briskly  from  R.) 

PHELAN.  (Speaking  as  he  comes  on)  You  were 
right,  your  honor.  He  is.  (Sees  MRS.  BENNETT  R., 
stops)  Excuse  me. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    You  wish  to  see  my  son. 

PHELAN.  Nothin'  important,  Ma'am.  Nothin' 
important!  (MRS.  BENNETT  stops  as  if  to  remain, 
about  to  sit  L.)  Still,  if  it's  all  the  same  to  you 

MRS.  BENNETT.  I  understand.  (Rises.  Going 
L.)  I'll  see  you  later,  dear.  (To  BENNETT.  MRS. 
BENNETT  exits  L.) 

BENNETT,     (c.)     Well? 

PHELAN.  (R.)  You  guessed  it.  Roberts  is  their 
man. 

BENNETT.    If  Horigan  gets  him  they  win. 

PHELAN.  //  he  gets  him.  But  if  he  don't — Well, 
I'll  hand  Dick  Horigan  a  jolt  that'll  set  his  birthday 
back  about  five  years !  What  are  you  goin'  to  do  ? 

BENNETT.  Before  he  leaves  to-night  I  must  know 
positively  where  he  stands.  So  keep  an  eye  on  him 
and  don't  let  him  go  without  my  seeing  him. 

(DALLAS  enters  c.  from  L.  down  R.) 

DALLAS.  (Speaking  as  she  comes  in)  I'm  true 
to  my  promise  you  see!  Why,  where's  Mrs.  Ben 
nett? 

PHELAN.    I'm  afraid  I  drove  her  away.    (Going 

R.) 

DALLAS.    How  cruel  of  you. 

PHELAN.     Yes,   Miss!     But  you'll  excuse  me. 


78  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

won't  you  ?  When  it  comes  to  cruelty  I  think  I  know 
where  to  draw  the  line!  (Winking  at  BENNETT, 
going)  Excuse  me.  (PHELAN  exits  to  R.) 

DALLAS.    Well — (Sits  R.  on  sofa) 

BENNETT.  (R.  c.)  I'm  so  glad  you  came  to 
night. 

DALLAS.  You  weren't  glad  enough  to  ask  me  to 
come 

BENNETT.    You  know  why — don't  you  ? 

DALLAS.     (Hesitatingly)     No 

BENNETT.    No? 

DALLAS.    A — Not  absolutely. 

BENNETT.    Ah !    But  you  do 

DALLAS.  There  are  several  things  I  don't  know — 
absolutely — one  in  particular. 

BENNETT.    What? 

DALLAS.  You  haven't  been  to  see  me  since  the  day 
I  returned. 

BENNETT.  No,  but  you've  not  had  much  chance 
to  be  lonesome.  Mr.  Gibbs  has  been  very  constant. 

DALLAS.  Can't  you  at  least  be  as — friendly — as 
you  were? 

BENNETT.  We  can  never  be  "  friends  "  again, 
Dallas.  (Going  L.)  The  time  for  that  passed  long 
ago.  Between  us  it  must  be  all  or  nothing.  (  There 
is  a  short  pause)  I  shouldn't  say  this  to-night.  The 
time  hasn't  come.  But  it  will  come — soon  and 
then — !  (Going  back  to  DALLAS)  Listen,  Dallas, 
I  am  opposing  your  uncle. 

DALLAS.  It  has  been  made  very  evident  to  me. 
(Rises  and  moves  R.) 

BENNETT.  Don't  think  it  is  easy  for  me  either.  I 
must  do  it  or  surrender  a  fight  which  I  set  out  to  win, 
and  which  I  intend  to  win  if  it's  possible. 

DALLAS.  /  recognise  that  spirit.  (Down  R. 
Music  stops) 

BENNETT.  In  addition  to  your  uncle  it  involves 
others  in  a  way  I  can't  explain  to  you  now — (To 
DALLAS) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  79 

DALLAS.    Others  ? 

BENNETT.  Yes.  There  are  conditions — obsta 
cles 

DALLAS.    Obstacles  ? 

BENNETT.  Of  course  you  don't  understand  and 
I  can't  make  it  clear.  But  on  Saturday  I  can.  On 
Saturday  I  shall  be  able  to  explain  everything. 
Meanwhile,  no  matter  how  the  struggle  goes,  no  mat 
ter  what  you  may  hear  or  read,  always  remember 
this  one  thing,  Dallas — I  love  you. 

DALLAS.  I  don't  understand  and  I  don't  know 
what  to  say. 

BENNETT.     Say  nothing,  wait.     (Two  step) 

(HORIGAN  and  WAIN  WRIGHT  enter  c.  from  L., 
HORIGAN  sees  BENNETT  and  DALLAS  and  stops. 
Comes  down  L.  c.) 

DALLAS.    (R.)    Uncle. 

BENNETT.     (R.  c.)     Good-evening. 

WAIN  WRIGHT,     (c.)     Good-evening. 

BENNETT.  (To  DALLAS)  Shall  we  go?  (Offer 
ing  arm) 

DALLAS.  Please.  (A  look  at  HORIGAN.  BENNETT 
and  DALLAS  exeunt  R.  talking) 

HORIGAN.  (c.)  There's  something  I  don't  like. 
Is  she  on  your  side  or  his? 

WAINWRIGHT.  She's  her  own  mistress.  I  can't 
forbid  her  speaking  to  the  man  though  I  told  her  as 
plainly  as  I  could  that  he  wasn't  welcome  at  my 
house.  You  were  saying  about  Roberts  ? 

HORIGAN.    I  can  get  Roberts  all  right. 

(WILLIAMS  enters  hurriedly  from  L.  He  is  about 
forty-five  and  is  HORIGAN'S  leader  in  the 
Council.  He  comes  down  L.) 

WILLIAMS.    Mr.  Horigan. 

HORIGAN.    Well,  Williams,  what  is  it? 


80  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

WILLIAMS.     Ellis— he's  deserted 


us 


HORIGAN.      What!       (Goes    to 


(Together) 


WILLIAMS) 

WAINWRIGHT.    Ellis? 

WILLIAMS.  Yes.  I've  just  received  a  note  from 
him  saying  his  wife  was  ill  and  he  had  left  with  her 
for  Hot  Springs,  Virginia,  and  so  couldn't  be  at  the 
meeting  Friday. 

HORIGAN.    He  will  be  there— the  dog.    (c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    How  are  the  others  ? 

WILLIAMS.  We've  never  had^  a  fight  like  Ben 
nett's  giving  us — and  well,  I  think  some  of  them 
would  like  to  weaken. 

HORIGAN.  /'//  fix  them!  (To  WILLIAMS)  Now 
about  Ellis.  You  go  after  him  by  the  first  tram  and 
have  him  back  here  on  Friday  without  fail— under 
stand,  without  fail! 

WILLIAMS.     (Starts  up)    I'll  do  the  best  I  can. 

HORIGAN.  One  thing  more.  (WILLIAMS  comes 
to  HORIGAN)  Get  word— (WILLIAMS  stops) 
quietly  to  Roberts.  I'd  like  to  see  him  here.  But 
whatever  you  do— don't  fail  to  bring  back  Ellis,  even 
if  you  have  to  chloroform  him! 

WILLIAMS.     Right!     (WILLIAMS  exits  c.  to  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    What  do  you  think  ? 

HORIGAN.    It  looks  bad.    If  we  could  only  get  to 

Bennett ! 

WAINWRIGHT.    Impossible. 

HORIGAN.  No  man's  impossible.  I  have  one  hook 
on  my  line  yet,  and  I  think  it  will  land  him.  I 
wonder  what  his  price  is. 

( GIBBS  enters  c.  R.  down  L.) 

GIBBS.    Any  news? 

WAINWRIGHT.      You   are   enjoying   yourself, 

suppose  ? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  81 

GIBBS.  Hardly.  I  practically  offended  one 
partner  and  have  just  surrendered  another. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  (Going  to  GIBBS  L.  HORIGAN 
going  R.)  You're  not  asleep  to-night  then  if  you 
were  this  morning? 

GIBBS.    Asleep  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Why  didn't  you  let  me  know 
about  that  block  of  stock  that  was  sold  early  ? 

GIBBS.    (A  little  uneasily)    I  knew  nothing  about 

WAINWRIGHT.  Well,  other  people  did.  I  don't 
suppose  you  know  who  bought  it  either  ? 

GIBBS.     (As  before)    No!    Of  course  not. 
^  WAINWRIGHT.    You'd  better  keep  your  eyes  open. 
Somebody  is  tailing  on  to  our  deal. 

HORIGAN.    Tailing  on! 

WAINWRIGHT.  Some  big  blocks  of  Borough  stock 
have  been  thrown  on  the  market  lately  and  have  been 

quietly  absorbed.    I  don't  know  who  bought  them 

(To  GIBBS)     Do  you? 

GIBBS.    I  told  you  "  no." 

WAINWRIGHT.  Well  you  should.  That's  what 
you  are  in  the  deal  for!  However,  the  man  who 
bought  it  will  probably  wish  he  hadn't,  (c.) 

GIBBS.     (L.)     Why? 

WAINWRIGHT.  (c.)  Because  we're  likely  to  lose 
— that's  why.  (Going  up  a  little) 

GIBBS.  (Getting  alarmed)  Lose!  I  understood 
we  had  another  man  and,  with  Mr.  Horigan's  thir 
teen,  that  made  everything  sure. 

HORIGAN.  That's  what  we  thought,  only  one  of 
men  has  slipped. 

GIBBS.    He's  gone? 

HORIGAN.     Yes. 

GIBBS.  (Greatly  alarmed)  Then  we'll  lose  any 
way — and  if  we  do — (To  himself)  Good  God!  If 
we  do! 

HORIGAN.  We  haven't  quite  lost  yet.  I  think  I 
can  get  my  man  back. 


82  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

GIBBS.  (Eagerly)  Of  course  you  can.  And 
you'll  try — won't  you,  you'll  try? 

HORIGAN.  (Savagely  and  playing  for  laugh) 
No,  I'll  go  home  and  play  mumble-peg !  What's  the 
matter  with  you? 

GIBBS.    Why  I— I 

WAIN  WRIGHT.     He  has  25%  of  the  deal. 

HORIGAN.  A  man  shouldn't  play  the  game  if  he 
can't  pay  for  his  chips.  (To  GIBBS)  Is  Judge  New 
man  out  there? 

GIBBS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    Tell  him  I  want  to  see  him. 

GIBBS.    Yes,  but  I'd  like 

HORIGAN.  (R.)  This  is  my  end  of  the  deal.  Tell 
him. 

(  GIBBS  exits  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  What  do  you  want  with  New 
man?  (Drop  down  L.  c.) 

HORIGAN.    To  talk  to  Bennett,     (c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    That  won't  do  any  good. 

HORIGAN.  It  can't  do  any  harm.  I  wonder  where 
Roberts  is.  I  sent  word  to  him  by  that  secretary  of 
yours  that  I  wanted  to  see  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Good.  I  thought  Thompson 
might  be  useful.  That's  the  reason  I  told  him  to 
come. 

HORIGAN.    You've  looked  up  Roberts'  notes  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Takes  papers  from  pockets  to 
refer  to)  Yes.  There  are  two  of  them,  one  for 
fifteen  thousand — the  other  for  seven.  They  are 
secured  by  the  mortgage  on  his  manufacturing 
plant. 

HORIGAN.    You  feel  sure  he  can't  meet  them? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Yes.  They've  been  extended 
twice  already. 

(JUDGE  NEWMAN  enters  L.    WAINWRIGHT  up  stage 
R.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  83 

JUDGE.  Mr.  Gibbs  said  you  wished  to  see  me 
(L.  c.) 

HORIGAN.    Yes.    (Crosses  to  JUDGE) 

JUDGE.  (Beaming)  Delightful  dance,  isn't  it? 
My  girls  have  had  all  the  best  partners,  and  Mrs. 
Newman  is  so  pleased!  (To  JUDGE  L.  c.) 

HORIGAN.  (Going  to  JUDGE)  I  want  you  to  tell 
Bennett  to  keep  his  hands  off  the  Borough  Franchise 
Bill. 

JUDGE.  (Getting  alarmed)  I— I  don't  think  I 
know  him — well  enough  for  that. 

HORIGAN.  You're  quick  enough  to  ask  favors. 
How  about  returning  them  ? 

JUDGE.    I  know  Mr.  Horigan,  but 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  /  got  you  the  nomination ;  remem 
ber  that.  (Drops  down  R.  c.) 

HORIGAN.  Right  here  you  make  good  or  welch, — 
which  is  it  to  be  ? 

JUDGE.    I  don't  think  that  Mrs.  Newman 

HORIGAN.    Oh,  damn  Mrs.  Newman ! 

JUDGE.  Just  as  you  say!  That  is— I— I  don't 
think  I  know  what  to  tell  Mr.  Bennett. 

HORIGAN.  Yes  you  do — you  can  offer  him  the 
nomination  for  Governor  when  his  term  of  Mayor 
has  expired  and  if  you  land  him  ask  anything  reas 
onable  and  you'll  have  it. 

JUDGE.  If  there  should  be  a  vacancy  in  the  Su 
preme  Court? 

HORIGAN.    (L.  c.)    Any  influence  I  have  is  yours. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.     (R.)     Same  here. 

JUDGED  (L.)  Then  I  feel  sure  I  could  get  it  and 
if  I  did,  it  would  please  Mrs.  Newman  so  much. 

HORIGAN.  (Grimly,  but  playing  for  laugh)  On 
the  level,  Judge — are  you  the  father  or  the  mother  of 
your  children  ? 

JUDGE.    (L.)    Why — Mr.  Horigan 

HORIGAN.  Don't  bring  Mrs.  Newman  into  this 
again.  You  say  she's  happy  in  the  ball-room — leave 
her  there ! 


84  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

JUDGE.  If  you  only  knew  Mrs.  Newman  you 
wouldn't 

HORIGAN.  Well,  I  don't  know  her,  and  I  don  t 
want  to !  And  now  let's  get  back  to  business.  See 
Bennett  to-night. 

JUDGE.  Very  well.  I  will.  I'll  watch  for  a  good 
opportunity  and  will  make  the  matter  as  clear  to  him 
as  I  possibly  can.  Anything  else? 

HORIGAN.    That's  all. 

JUDGE.    I'll  look  for  him  at  once.     (Up-stage  c.) 

HORIGAN.    And  Judge 

JUDGE.    Yes.    (Stops  and  returns  to  HORIGAN  c.) 

HORIGAN.  Give  my  regards  to  Mrs.  Newman. 
(JUDGE  smiles  and  opens  his  mouth  as  if  to  speak) 
To-morrow—!  (The  JUDGE'S  expression  changes 
and  he  exits  c.  to  R.)  What^  I'd  like  to  know  is— 
does  he  love  her  or  is  he  afraid  of  her? 

WAINWRIGHT.  What's  that  other  line  you  said 
you  had  out  for  Bennett.  (R.  c.) 

HORIGAN.  (c.)  It's  a  little  idea  of  my  own.  I  m 
expecting  a  report  to  be  finished  to-night.  If  it  is, 
it's  to  be  sent  here.  If  it  turns  out  the  way  I  think 
it  will— I'll  land  him  anyhow. 

(ROBERTS  enters  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.     (Genially)     Good-evening,  Mr. 

Roberts. 

ROBERT.    Good-evening ! 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  HORIGAN)  I  think  we  have 
finished  I'll  see  you  later.  (Up  c.  To  ROBERTS) 
Good-bye,  Alderman!  (With  a  bow  to  ROBERTS, 
exits  c.  to  L.) 

ROBERTS.     Is  this  wise?     (Crosses  to  HORIGAN, 

R    C  ) 

'  HORIGAN.    Why  not?    It's  no  crime  to  be  seen 
talking  to  me.     (c.) 

ROBERTS.     (R.  c.)     To-morrow. 

HORIGAN.    No— now !    For  ten  years  or  more  the 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  85 

Aldermen  sent  from  your  ward  have  been  trying  to 
get  through  a  Brookville  Park  bill,  but  they've  never 
been  able. 

ROBERTS.    No. 

HORIGAN.  It  would  mean  a  big  public  improve 
ment  right  in  the  heart  of  your  ward  and  one  that 
your  voters  want.  If  you  could  get  the  bill  through 
it  would  be  quite  a  feather  in  your  cap,  wouldn't  it  ? 

ROBERTS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    Well,  introduce  it  and  it'll  go  through. 

ROBERTS.    Thank  you. 

HORIGAN.  Of  course  you'll  introduce  it  after  the 
Borough  Franchise  is  passed. 

(There  is  a  pause.  PHELAN  is  unseen — appears  c. 
He  looks  in  for  a  second  then  disappears  R. 
to  L.) 

ROBERTS.    I — I  voted  against  the  bill  before 

HORIGAN.  Yes,  but  this  is  an  amended  bill  with 
all  the  discrepancies  taken  out.  Besides,  the  street 
car  line  doesn't  touch  your  ward.  The  park  does 
and  stays  th^re.  See!  The  fact  that  a  mutual 
friend  has  taken  up  your  notes  at  the  Sturtevant 
Trust  Company  and  has  sent  them  to  you,  saving 
your  business  for  you,  won't  cut  any  figure  at  all. 

ROBERTS.  I — I  am  an  honest  man.  (Moves  a 
little  to  R.) 

HORIGAN.  (Goes  a  little  R.)  Of  course!  You 
think  the  bill  as  amended  is  all  right  but  seeing  a 
change  to  get  something  your  constituents  want,  you 
get  it  for  them.  That's  honesty  combined  with  busi 
ness. 

ROBERTS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  Then  there  you  are.  (There  is  a 
pause) 

ROBERTS.    How — am  I  sure — that  the  notes ? 

HORIGAN.  Wainwright  controls  the  Sturtevant 
Trust — I'll  deliver  them  to-morrow.  (Short  pause) 


86  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

Shall  I?  (There  is  another  pause,  then  ROBERTS 
nods)  You  get  the  notes  to-morrow  and  everything 
is  understood. 

ROBERTS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    Good-night.    (Exits  c.  to  L.) 

(WILLIAMS  meets  HORIGAN  c.  with  package  of 
paper — exits  c.  There  is  a  short  pause; 
ROBERTS  pulls  himself  together  and  walks  to 
wards  exit  R.  PHELAN  enters  R.) 

PHELAN.  What  do  you  think  of  the  party  ? 

ROBERTS.  Why — splendid — (Starts  as  if  to 
go  R.) 

PHELAN.  What's  the  hurry? 

ROBERTS.  Nothing  in  particular. 

PHELAN.  Then  wait  a  minute — I'm  lonesome. 
(Takes  ROBERTS,  crosses  L.  c.) 

ROBERTS,  (c.)    Oh,  very  well. 

(BENNETT  enters  c.  from  R.) 

BENNETT.  What  is  this — a  little  social  gathering  ? 
(L.  c.) 

PHELAN.  (R.)  Yes.  But  you  can  get  in.  (To 
ROBERTS)  Can't  he? 

ROBERTS.    Certainly. 

BENNETT.  Thanks.  No  one  knows  how  I  wish 
Friday  was  over.  You  haven't  changed  front  on  the 
Franchise  bill,  of  course. 

ROBERTS.  The — the  alterations — that  have  been 
made  in  it 

BENNETT.    Well? 

ROBERTS.  I  haven't  considered  them  carefully 
yet 

BENNETT.  They  are  such  that  no  honest  man  will 
reverse  his  opinion  for  them,  and  so  I  count  on  you 
to  be  with  us.  May  I  ? 

ROBERTS.    When  I  have  looked  the  bill  over 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  87 

BENNETT.  You'll  have  to  do  it  soon.  When  will 
you  do  it  and  let  me  know  ? 

ROBERTS.  I  object  to  being  catechised  by  you,  Mr. 
Bennett,  I  am  my  own  master  and  I  shall  do  as  I 
please. 

BENNETT.    You  can't  dodge  the  issue  in  that  way. 

PHELAN.  That's  right.  It's  no  use  four-flushin' 
any  longer. 

ROBERTS.  Anyway,  I'm  not  answerable  to  you — 
(Crosses  to  L.)  I'm  answerable  to  my  constituents. 

BENNETT.  And  I'll  see  that  they  call  on  you  for 
an  answer. 

ROBERTS.  Well,  any  time  they  do  I'll  be  ready. 
(Exits  to  L.) 

PHELAN.    (Going  to  BENNETT)    Noiv  what? 

BENNETT.    I'll  look  after  him.    (c.) 

PHELAN.  Same  plan  you've  used  against 
Horigan's  men  ? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

(JUDGE  enters  R.  c.) 

JUDGE.  (To  BENNETT)  I  thought  I  saw  you 
strolling  this  way.  (Down  R.  c.) 

BENNETT.  (L.  c.)  Did  you  wish  to  see  me, 
Judge 

JUDGE.    Oh,  nothing  important 

PHELAN.    (To  BENNETT)     So  long. 

JUDGE.    Don't  let  me  drive  you  away,  Mr.  Phelan. 

PHELAN.  Judge — when  the  umpire's  called  three 
strikes  on  me,  nobody  has  to  tell  me  to  get  away 
from  the  plate.  (Exits  to  R.) 

BENNETT.    Well,  Judge?    (Sits) 

JUDGE.  You — er — you  won't  misunderstand  me — 
will  you  ? 

BENNETT.    (L.  c.)    I  hope  not. 

JUDGE,  (c.)  Don't  you  think  you  have  fought 
the  Borough  Franchise  hard  enough? 


88  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

BENNETT.  No,  I  am  against  perpetual  franchises 
on  principle. 

JUDGE.  The  gentlemen  from  whom  I  come  rep 
resent  the  two  most  powerful  interests  which  are 
factors  in  your  career — money  and  organized 
politics. 

BENNETT.    Yes? 

JUDGE.     Money  and  organized  politics. 

BENNETT.  Which  as  usual  are  working  shoulder 
to  shoulder!  In  other  words  you  come  from 
Horigan  and  Mr.  Wainwright. 

JUDGE.  Yes !  Take  the  advice  of  a  man  much 
older  than  yourself  and  who  has  seen  many  promis 
ing  careers  blighted  by  one  foolish  step.  Do  not  an 
tagonize  the  interests  I  have  mentioned.  The 
public  forgets — money  and  politics  never  do. 

BENNETT.  I  do  not  take  my  position  to  please 
them  or  the  public.  I  do  it  for  my  own  purpose  and 
to  please  myself. 

JUDGE.  If  you  will  do  as  they  desire — if  you  re 
main  neutral — I  am  authorized  to  offer  you 

BENNETT.    Yes  ? 

JUDGE.  The  nomination  for  Governor  when  your 
term  has  expired. 

BENNETT.  So  that's  the  bribe — (Rises  and  moves 
to  JUDGE  R.  c.)  is  it,  and  you  are  the  man  selected  as 
the  go-between  ? 

JUDGE.  (R. — indignantly)  Bribe!  Go-between! 
What  do  you  mean,  sir  ? 

BENNETT.    Aren't  you  trying  to  bribe  me? 

JUDGE.    No,  Sir. 

BENNETT.    Then  what  are  you  trying  to  do? 

JUDGE.    I  merely  came  to  you  with  a  proposition. 

BENNETT.  Didn't  you  offer  me  the  nomination 
for  Governor  in  return  for  a  betrayal  of  trust!  If 
that  isn't  bribery,  what  is  it?  (Busi.  There  is  a 
short  pause)  Come!  What  is  it? 

JUDGE.    It's — it's 

BENNETT.     (Crossing  to  R.)     Mr.  Newman — I 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  89 

am  not  surprised  that  they  should  make  it  but  I  am 
surprised  that  you  should  bring  it.  You !  A  Judge !  I 
A  Judge ! !  God  help  justice  while  money  and 
politics  can  control  the  judges ! 

JUDGE.  Er — I  never  was  so  insulted  in  my  life. 
(Drops  down  L.)  If  Mrs.  Newman  were  to  hear  of 
this— I 

BENNETT.    Take  my  advice  and  don't  let  her. 

JUDGE.  (Returns  back  to  BENNETT  R.)  Whether 
Mrs.  Newman  hears  of  it  or  not,  Mr.  Wainwright 
shall — and  at  once  sir — at  once — (Going)  Bribery 
sir!  The  idea!  The  idea!  (Exits  R.) 

(There  is  a  short  pause.    HORIGAN  looks  in,  then 
enters  c.  from  R.  unseen  by  BENNETT  down 

R.  C.) 

HORIGAN.  (R.  c.)  I've  got  you  this  time.  Do 
you  hear  ?  I've  got  you. 

BENNETT.    Really!    (R.) 

HORIGAN.  Yes,  really !  When  it  came  to  a  fight 
between  you  and  me  I  looked  your  record  over  but 
there  was  nothing  I  could  use.  Then  I  thought  of 
your  father 

BENNETT.    My  father! 

HORIGAN.  Yes.  What  would  you  say  if  I  told 
you  he  was  one  of  us — that  he  was  a  grafter  too? 

BENNETT.  (Going  to  HORIGAN)  I  should  say 
you  lied. 

HORIGAN.  Well,  I  do  tell  you!  He  was  one  of 
us.  And  I  don't  lie. 

BENNETT.  You'll  have  to  do  better  than  that. 
(Turns  away  a  little  L.) 

HORIGAN.    You  don't  believe  it,  eh? 

BENNETT.  Of  course  I  don't.  What  do  you  think 
lam? 

HORIGAN.  And  what  do  you  think  I  am — a  fool  ? 
(Going  to  BENNETT)  Do  you  imagine  I'd  come  to 


90  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

you  with  such  a  story  at  this  stage  of  the  game  un 
less  I  had  the  proofs  ? 

BENNETT.  Proofs?  You  say  you  have  proofs? 
(  Turns  and  faces  HORIGAN  ) 

HORIGAN.    Oh,  that  touches  you,  doesn't  it? 

BENNETT.     I  don't  believe  you. 

HORIGAN.  But  you  soon  will.  When  I  thought 
of  your  father  I  remembered  he  made  his  money 
pretty  fast — (Crosses  L.  c.  to  R.  of  table)  that  he  be 
longed  to  the  organization,  and  that  he  built  the 
library  and  the  aqueduct.  And  then  I  had  an  idea! 

BENNETT.    Well?    (Crosses  to  c.) 

HORIGAN.  I  had  the  specifications  for  both  build 
ings  dug  out  and  I  sent  for  Morris  and  Cherrington, 
the  engineers.  You've  heard  of  them? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  Then  you  know  they're  the  best  in  the 
land — that  they're  not  our  people — and  that  they 
can't  be  bought.  Don't  you? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  I  hired  them  to  examine  the  buildings 
and  to  see  whether  or  not  they  were  up  to  specifica 
tion.  I  told  them  that  I  wanted  no  theories — that 
I  wanted  the  facts.  Well,  I  got  them.  Here's  their 
report.  The  facts  are  here.  (Produces  the  report) 

BENNETT.    Well  ? 

HORIGAN.  The  report  shows  they  were  two  of 
the  crookedest  jobs  ever  done — inferior  materials, 
when  the  materials  called  for  were  used  at  all — in 
stead  of  solid  granite — granite  casings  with  lime 
and  mortar  between ;  iron  beams  instead  of  steel ; 
concrete  foundations  less  than  half  the  required 
depth;  common  tiles  instead  of  fireproof;  in  fact, 
such  coarse  and  rotten  work  that  if  it  was  tried  to 
day  it  would  be  exposed  before  morning.  Talk 
about  grafters !  Your  father  with  his  gang  was  the 
king  of  them ;  that's  what  he  was,  the  King  of  the 
grafters. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  91 

(During  the  above  speech,  despite  his  efforts  at 
control,  HORIGAN'S  voice  has  gradually  risen.) 

BENNETT.    Ssh!    Ssh!    Ssh! 

HORIGAN.  /  don't  care  who  hears.  (Going  to 
table  L.  and  throking  copy  of  report  on  it)  There's 
a  copy  of  the  report.  Look  it  over.  (Turns  up 
stage)  ^  And  now  listen  to  me.  If  the  Borough 
Franchise  Bill  passes  Friday  night  that  report  will 
be  buried  forever.  If  it's  beat,  every  paper  in 
America  will  have  it  the  next  morning.  That's  all 
I've  got  to  say.  (Goes  to  exit)  You're  in  a  fine 
position  to  talk  about  grafters,  you  are ! 

( HORIGAN  exits  R.  c.  BENNETT  stands  immovable 
for  a  time,  then  sloivly  picks  up  report  L.  ;  sits  on 
chair.  He  reads  it.) 

BENNETT.    (To  himself)    It's  true.    It's  true. 
(MRS.  BENNETT  enters  L.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Alwyn,  I'm  rather  tired,  dear. 
(Speaks  off)  Very  well,  good-night.  You  needn't 
come,  but  if  you  don't  mind  I  think  I'll  go  home. 

(Instinctively  BENNETT  tries  to  hide  the  report. 
Rises.) 

BENNETT.    Certainly. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  What  is  that? 

BENNETT.    What  ? 

MRS.  BENNETT.    That  paper — in  your  hand. 

BENNETT.     (L.  c.)    Oh,  it's  only  a  report. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  (L.)  So  you're  not  free  from 
business  even  here.  It's  a  shame.  A  man  ought 
never  to  take  his  business  outside  his  office.  Your 
father  never  did.  (With  a  sigh)  Oh,  dear,  what 
a  man  he  was !  And  you  are  like  him.  You  are  his 


92  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

son.  (There  is  a  pause.  BENNETT,  greatly  troubled 
and  still  undecided,  again  looks  at  his  mother.  She 
turns  and  catches  the  glance)  Alwyn,  why  do  you 
look  at  me  like  that  ? 

BENNETT.  I — I — I  was  trying  to  decide  some 
thing. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    What? 

BENNETT.  I  was  trying  to  decide — whether  it  is 
better  to  do  what  is  right,  knowing  it  will  bring  un- 
happiness  to  those  you  love,  or  to  let  the  right  go  by 
default,  and  leave  their  happiness  with  them. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  There  can  be  no  question  of 
that,  dear.  Right  is  right,  no  matter  what  happens. 

BENNETT.    I'm  not  sure. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  What  is  troubling  you?  (Sits 
L.  of  table)  There  have  never  been  secrets  between 
us,  my  boy.  Tell  me. 

BENNETT.  It's  about  a  friend  of  mine.  He 
wishes  me  to  advise  him. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Yes,  dear. 

BENNETT.  (Sits  R.  of  table)  He  occupies  an  im 
portant  position  of  trust.  A  man  wishes  him  to  be 
tray  those  who  placed  him  there,  and  threatens,  if 
he  declines,  to  publish  some  facts  which  would 
prove  his  father,  who  is  dead,  to  have  been  dis 
honest.  What  should  my  friends  do? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  It  is  a  hard  problem,  dear — but 
there  is  only  one  answer.  He  must  be  faithful  to 
his  trust. 

BENNETT.  That  is  what  you  advise  me  to  tell 
him. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Yes. 

BENNETT.    I  will.     (Rises,  crosses  to  R.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.  (Rises  and  crosses  to  c.)  Oh, 
Alwyn,  we  should  both  of  us  thank  God  every  day 
that  I  was  blessed  with  such  a  husband,  and  you 
with  such  a  father.  (There  is  a  pause) 

BENNETT.  (R.)  Yes,  but  suppose — just  sup 
pose — that  it  had  been  father. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  93 

MRS.  BENNETT,  (c.)  I  decline  to  suppose  any 
thing  of  the  kind.  (There  is  a  pause)  Why  do  you 
ask  me  to  suppose  such  a  thing  ? 

BENNETT.  For  no  reason,  mother.  (Trying  to 
turn  the  subject)  Shall  we  go? 

MRS.  BENNETT.  (Getting  vaguely  alarmed) 
Wait,  Alwyn !  There  is  something  about  your  ques 
tion  that  I  don't  like. 

BENNETT.    You  imagine  it. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  There — is — something  vague, 
and  shadowy.  I  know  it's  nothing  real — and  yet,  it 
frightens  me. 

BENNETT.    Please. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  The  mention  of  your  father  has 
made  me  understand  more  clearly  what  it  means  to 
them.  No  wonder  you  hesitated.  (With  a  sudden 
thought)  And — Alwyn! 

BENNETT.    Mother. 

MRS.  BENNETT,  (c.)  Why  did  you  look  at  me 
as  you  did? 

BENNETT.    (R.)    For  no  reason. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  But  there  was  a  reason.  Tell 
me  the  truth  now,  Alwyn — tell  me  the  truth — has 
anyone  spoken  against — your  father?  (There  is  a 
pause.  In  BENNETT'S  silence  his  mother  reads  his 
answer)  What  did  they  say? 

BENNETT.  He  said — father  did  not  get — his 
money — honestly. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  And  you — what  did  you  do — 
you  told  him — he  lied 

BENNETT.    Yes.    I  told  him — he  lied. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    And  then 

BENNETT.    Then — he  proved — he  spoke  the  truth. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    Alwyn ! 

BENNETT.    He  proved  it — he  proved  it ! 

MRS.  BENNETT.  He  proved  that  your  father — I 
won't  say  it.  It's  a  lie !  It's  a  lie ! 

BENNETT.    It  is  the  truth,  mother. 

MRS.  BENNETT.     Your  father,  dishon — Alwyn! 


94  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

(Moves  to  L.  of  BENNETT)  My  boy!  Tell  me  it 
isn't  true.  He  deceived  you,  didn't  he?  He  de 
ceived  you. 

BENNETT.  Do  you  think  anyone  could  deceive 
me  in  this,  and  do  you  think  I  would  have  told  you 
if  I  were  not  sure — absolutely  sure 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Your  father!  Your  father! 
(MRS.  BENNETT  breaks  down  and  weeps  bitterly. 
BENNETT  comforts  her.  She  regains  control  over 
herself)  What  is  it? 

BENNETT.  The  library — and  the  aqueduct ! 
Horigan  discovered  it.  He  threatens  to  expose  it 
unless  I  allow  the  Borough  Franchise  to  pass. 

MRS.  BENNETT.    And  if  you  let  it  pass 

BENNETT.  He  will  say  nothing — that  is  what  I 
was  trying  to  decide. 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Right  is  right — no  matter  what 
happens. 

BENNETT.    Then  you  think  I  should ! 

MRS.  BENNETT.  Do  what  is  right,  my  boy,  do 
what  is  right !  (Arms  around  BENNETT) 

BENNETT.    I  will!    I  will! 

MRS.  BENNETT.  And  now  take  me  to  the  car 
riage,  please. 

BENNETT.  I'll  go  home  with  you.  (Moves  R. 
towards  exit  R.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    No.    Your  place  is  here. 

BENNETT.    Very  well.    (They  go  toward  exit  R.) 

MRS.  BENNETT.    My  boy ! 

BENNETT.    It's  you,  I'm  thinking  of. 

(MRS.  BENNETT  and  BENNETT  exeunt  to  R.    PERRY 
enters  L.,  turns  up  c.) 

PERRY.     Alwyn!     Alwyn!     (PHELAN  enters  c, 
To  PHELAN)    Seen  his  Honor? 
PHELAN.    Not  lately.    (Down  c.) 
PERRY.    (L.  c.)    I  had  something  to  tell  him. 
PHELAN.    (c.)    Won't  I  do?x 

- 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  95 

PERRY.  Hardly.  I'll  tell  you  this,  though.  I'm 
the  happiest  chap!  (Shakes  hands  with  PHELAN) 

PHELAN.     Money? 

PERRY.     No. 

PHELAN.     Girl? 

PERRY.    How  did  you  guess  ? 

PHELAN.    Always  one  or  the  other  at  your  age. 

PERRY.  (Going  to  exit  L.)  She  only  let  me  off 
when  I  came  to  tell  Alwyn.  (At  exit)  Gee!  But 
I'm  happy.  (Exits  L.) 

PHELAN.    (c.)    I  used  to  be  like  that. 

(Enter  THOMPSON,  c.) 

THOMPSON.  I  beg  your  pardon,  I  was  looking 
for  Mr.  Wainwright,  Mr.  Phelan.  (Going  to  as  if 
to  exit  R.) 

PHELAN.    Were  you,  Mr.  Garrison. 

(THOMPSON  gives  an   almost  imperceptible  start, 
then  quickly  pulls  himself.) 

THOMPSON.     You've  forgotten  my  name.     It  is 
Thompson.     (Moves  to  PHELAN  R.  c.) 
^  PHELAN.     (c.)     Perhaps  it  is  now,  but  the  first 
time  we  met  it  was  Garrison. 

THOMPSON.  (R.  c.)  Absurd.  I  never  saw  you 
till  the  other  day. 

PHELAN.  Oh,  yes,  you  did.  Shall  I  tell  when  it 
was?  It  was  the  day  your  father  shot  himself. 

THOMPSON.  My  father  did  not  shoot  himself, 
and  my  name  is  Thompson — not  Garrison. 

PHELAN.  That's  right.  When  you  start  a  bluff, 
play  the  hand  through. 

THOMPSON.    I  don't  understand  you. 

PHELAN.  Yes,  you  do.  And  don't  overlook  this, 
my  boy,  I'm  your  friend. 

(CYNTHIA  and  PERRY  enter  L.) 


96  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

PERRY.    Isn't  it  great  to  be  engaged  ? 
CYNTHIA.    Isn't  it? 

PERRY.    Oh  !  pshaw  !  we  can't  be  alone  anywhere. 
CYNTHIA.    It's  a  shame!    Oh,  I've  lost  my  fan. 
PERRY.    I'll  get  it  for  you,  and  when  I  come  back, 
I'll  find  a  place  where  we  can  be  alone. 

(PERRY  exits  L.    CYNTHIA  looks  after  him.) 

PHELAN.     (c.)     Do  you  know  who  that  is? 
THOMPSON.     (R.  c.)    Yes. 

PHELAN.     (c.)     And  you  still  deny  that  you're 
Garrison  ? 
THOMPSON.    Yes. 
PHELAN.    Miss  Garrison. 
CYNTHIA.    What  is  it,  Mr.  Phelan? 
PHELAN.    Here's  somebody  I  want  you  to  know. 

(CYNTHIA  goes  toward  PHELAN.) 

CYNTHIA.    Yes.     (There  is  a  pause) 

PHELAN.    Haven't  you  ever  seen  him  before? 

CYNTHIA.    I  think  not. 

THOMPSON.    There.    You  see. 

PHELAN.  Think  again — someone  you  knew  years 
ago.  (THOMPSON  tries  to  avert  his  face.  To 
THOMPSON)  Turn  round  and  let  her  look  at  you. 
(THOMPSON  looks  squarely  at  CYNTHIA)  Haven't 
you  seen  him  before  ? 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  I  think — I  think  I  have.  (There 
is  a  pause)  It's  Henry!  It's  Henry!  (Going  to 
THOMPSON  R.  c.) 

PHELAN.     (Going  a  little  L.)     Your  brother! 

CYNTHIA.  Yes,  my  brother.  (She  crosses  to 
THOMPSON)  You  remember  me,  don't  you ? 

THOMPSON.  (R.)  No.  No.  Miss  Garrison,  I 
do  not  remember  you,  you  are  mistaken.  I  am  not 
your  brother. 

PHELAN.     (L.  c.)     She's  your  sister,  and  you 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  97 

know  it.  Man  alive,  how  can  you  deny  your  flesh 
and  blood  like  that. 

CYNTHIA.  (R.  c.)  You  do  remember  me.  You 
must!  I  have  never  ceased  to  think  of  you.  I 
didn't  know  you  at  first,  because  I  was  only  a  little 
girl  when — !  And  you've  changed.  But  I  knew 
you  were  alive  and  that  you  thought  of  me  and  every 
night  I've  prayed  that  you  might  come  back  to  me. 
Don't  deny  me  any  longer.  You  are  all  I  have  in 
the  world.  I've  no  father,  no  mother,  no  one  but 
you. 

THOMPSON.    Cynthia!    (They  embrace) 

PHELAN.    (c.)    I  knew  I  was  right. 

THOMPSON.  Yes.  But  you  don't  know  what  you 
have  done. 

PHELAN.  Oh,  yes,  I  do.  There  was  a  reason  for 
his  not  coming  to  you.  There's  still  a  reason.  You 
mustn't  tell  a  soul. 

CYNTHIA.  (R.  c.)  Not  tell  them  that  he's  my 
brother. 

THOMPSON.  No  one!  Promise  me!  Promise 
me! 

CYNTHIA.    Alderman 

(PHELAN  nods.) 

PHELAN.    It  won't  be  for  long.     (Turns  up  c.) 
THOMPSON.    Promise  me.    You  must ! 
CYNTHIA.    Very  well,  I  promise. 

(THOMPSON  holds  out  his  arms.  CYNTHIA  goes  to 
him.  He  embraces  her.  PERRY  re-enters  with 
fan,  L.) 

PERRY.  I  found  it.  (Music — Waltz  pp.  PERRY 
sees  the  embrace,  and  pauses  amazed.  Starts  to  fan 
himself,  then  drops  fan)  If  this  is  a  dream  won't 
somebody  please  wake  me  up. 

CYNTHIA.     (Going  to  c.)    I  can  explain  it  very 


98  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

easily.    When  you  left  me  I  was  sitting  over  there, 
wasn't  I  ? 

PERRY.  (L.)  You  were — but  you  got  up  and 
proceeded  to  get  busy. 

CYNTHIA,  (c.)  Yes.  I  got  up  because  Mr. 
Phelan  asked  me.  He  wanted  me  to  meet  my — 
my — (PHELAN  places  his  hand  on  her  arm  warn- 
ingly.  There  is  a  pause.  L.  c.)  That  is — he 
wanted  me  to — to — (Points  to  seat  had  sat  on)  I  was 
sitting  over  there,  that's  all  I  can  tell  you.  (Going 
up  L.  a  little) 

PERRY.  (L.)  It  is  very  lucid  undoubtedly,  but  I 
don't  quite  grasp  it. 

PHELAN.  You  don't,  eh  ?  Then  I'll  explain  it  to 
you.  (Crosses  to  PERRY) 

PERRY.  (L.)  Ah!  Now  we  will  hear  from  Mr. 
Fixit. 

PHELAN.    Oh,  go  to  the  devil!     (Moves  L.) 

PERRY.  (Crosses  to  THOMPSON)  Haven't  you 
anything  to  say? 

THOMPSON.    No! 

PERRY.  (R.)  Well,  you  will  have  something  to 
say.  Wrhat  right  have  you  to  kiss  the  girl  that  I  am 
engaged  to. 

PHELAN.    Engaged ! 

THOMPSON.    You're  engaged  to  her? 

PERRY.  Yes.  That  is — I  was  engaged.  Gee! 
But  can't  things  happen  quickly.  Less  than  ten 
minutes  ago  she  told  me — and  I  told  her — and  we 
told  each  other — !  Well,  life  will  never  be  the  same 
to  me  again.  Good-bye.  (Starts  toward  exit  L.) 

CYNTHIA.    Perry. 

PHELAN.  (L.  c.)  Stop!  Stop!  (PERRY  stops) 
Come  here!  (Pause)  Come  here.  (PERRY  conies 
back.  Indicating  CYNTHIA)  Look  at  her.  (To 
CYNTHIA)  Lift  up  your  face  and  look  him  in  the 
eye  like  the  girl  you  are.  (CYNTHIA  looks  at 
PERRY.  To  PERRY)  What  do  you  see  there.  Is 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  99 

there  anything  but  the  real  thing  and  goodness,  is 
there  ? 

PERRY.  (L.)  Of  course  there  isn't!  But  I  saw 
it.  Don't  forget  that.  I  saw  it. 

PHELAN.  She  couldn't  do  anything  to  be  ashamed 
of,  and  you  know  it.  If  you  don't  know  it,  you 
don't  know  it,  you  don't  love  her.  If  you  do  love 
her  you'll  trust  her.  It's  up  to  you. 

PERRY.    Why  doesn't  she  explain. 

PHELAN.  Do  you  trust  her  ?  That's  the  question 
and  the  happiness  of  both  of  you  is  at  stake. 

(There  is  a  pause.    PERRY  smiles  slowly,  then  opens 
his  arms.) 

PERRY.  Of  course  I  trust  her.  I'd  trust  her  with 
my  life!  But  you  will  explain,  won't  you? 

CYNTHIA.     (L.  c.)    Yes.    Some  day. 

PHELAN.     (c.)     Of  course  she'll  explain. 

THOMPSON.     (R.)     Cynthia! 

CYNTHIA.    Yes. 

THOMPSON.    Tell  him. 

CYNTHIA.    May  I? 

THOMPSON.  Yes.  But  he's  to  say  nothing  with 
out  my  permission. 

PHELAN.    You'll  agree  to  that,  won't  you? 

PERRY.    Of  course  I  will. 

PHELAN.    And  now  be  off  with  you. 

PERRY.    Alderman,  will  come  to  the  wedding? 

PHELAN.    Yes,  and  I'll  kiss  the  bride  too. 

PERRY.    See  her  blush ! 

CYNTHIA.    Oh,  Perry! 

PERRY.  I'm  just  crazy  about  you.  (PERRY 
laughs.  They  exeunt  L.  There  is  a  pause) 

PHELAN.  I  used  to  be  like  that.  I  had  a  girl  too. 
While  everything  was  all  right  I  was  living  in 
heaven,  but  when  she  threw  me  down  my  address 
was  23  Lemon  St.  (PHELAN  goes  to  THOMPSON 


ioo          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

and  shakes  his  hand)     Young  fellow,  I  want  to 
shake  you  by  the  hand.    You're  grit  clean  through. 

(JUDGE  enters  c.  from  R.) 

JUDGE.  (Down  c.)  I  beg  your  pardon,  Alder 
man,  but  have  you  seen  Mr.  Wainwright? 

PHELAN.  Not  lately.  (To  THOMPSON)  And 
now  come  along,  I  want  to  introduce  you  to  the 
Mayor.  (They  exit  R.) 

(DALLAS  laughs  off  L.  She  enters  with  GIBBS 
talking.} 

JUDGE.  Excuse  me,  but  have  you  seen  Mr.  Wain 
wright  ? 

GIBBS.  Not  for  sometime,  but  I  don't  think  he 
can  be  far  away. 

JUDGE.     Perhaps  he's  gone. 

DALLAS.  Uncle  wouldn't  mention  it  to  me  and  I 
am  sure  he  wouldn't  go  without  letting  me  know. 
(Crosses  R.  Enter  WAINWRIGHT  c.  and  L.  Mttsic 
stops)  Here's  Mr.  Wainwright  now. 

WAINWRIGHT.  They  told  me  you  was  looking 
for  me,  Judge.  What  is  it  ? 

JUDGE.    I  have  just  been  grossly  insulted. 

DALLAS.    Insulted  ? 

JUDGE.    Yes. 

GIBBS.    By  whom. 

JUDGE.    Mr.  Bennett. 

DALLAS.  You  must  be  mistaken,  Judge.  (Sits 
R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  Of  course  you'd  say  that.  If  you 
can  be  on  friendly  terms  with  Bennett  after  what 
he  said  about  me  you  must  think  he  can't  insult  any 
man.  I  sent  to  ask  him  to  be  friends — to  let  the 
past  be  forgotten.  Judge  I  apologize  for  the  in 
dignity  I  caused  you — I  should  have  known  better. 
(Crosses  to  JUDGE  R.) 


LTHE  MAN  OF  THE  HQURv;     .'/.tot. 

JUDGE.    That's  all  right,  Charles.    And  anything 
I  can  do  for  you,  you  have  only  to  call  upon  me. 
WAINWRIGHT.    Thanks. 

(JUDGE  exits  R.) 

DALLAS.  So  Mr.  Bennett  refused  your  offer  of 
friendship  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes.    (Crosses,  comes  to  c.) 

DALLAS.    Then  he  must  have  had  a  reason  for  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.    He  had.    You  are  the  reason. 

DALLAS.    I  am. 

WAINWRIGHT.  You!  It  is  no  secret  that  he 
wishes  to  marry  you.  Neither  is  it  a  secret  that 
Mr.  Gibbs  wishes  to  marry  you. 

DALLAS.    Well?    (R.  c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  Gibbs  is  interested  with  me  and 
interested  heavily.  If  Bennett  defeats  the  bill  again 
it  means  that  practically  all  Gibbs  has  will  be  lost. 
If  that  occurs,  he  must,  as  an  honest  man,  drop  out 
of  the  running,  leaving  the  field  clear  for  Bennett. 
The  scheme  has  been  known  to  us  for  some  time. 

DALLAS.    (Rises)    I  don't  believe  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.  To  gain  his  point,  he  not  only 
planned  to  ruin  Gibbs  but  he  is  willing  to  beggar 
Perry  and  yourself  as  well. 

DALLAS.    To  beggar  Perry  and  me!     (Rises) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (c.)  Yes.  Thinking  that 
Borough  Stock  was  a  safe  and  profitable  purchase 
I  sold  out  the  investments  I  was  holding  for  you  and 
put  everything  in  the  borough  company. 

DALLAS.  Then — if  Mr.  Bennett  succeeds — Perry 
and  I  will  be  dependent  on  you?  It  doesn't  seem 
possible,  and  yet  he — (Going  to  GIBBS — to  him  L.) 
he  did  know  about  you,  didn't  he  ? 

(WAINWRIGHT  crosses  R.) 
GIBBS.    (L.)    It  isn't  myself,  it's  you  I  care  about. 


102          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

I  can't  tell  you  how  I  feel  when  I  think  of  that  man 
doing  his  best  to  ruin  you  and  realize  that  /  am 
the  cause  of  it. 

DALLAS.    But,  Mr.  Gibbs — ! 

GIBBS.  We  haven't  lost  yet  though  and  we'll 
fight — fight  to  the  end.  Yes  and  we'll  win — we've 
got  to  win — to  save  you. 

DALLAS.    To  save  me  from  Mr.  Bennett. 

(BENNETT  enters.) 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  That's  the  idea  exactly.  {Going 
a  little  R.) 

BENNETT.  (Enters  c.)  My  dance,  I  think. 
(Down  c.  Music,  march  pp.) 

DALLAS.  Just  a  minute — please.  (L.  c.)  You 
know  of  course  that  Mr.  Gibbs  is  interested  deeply 
in  the  Borough  Street  Railway  franchise.  I  heard 
him  tell  you  so. 

BENNETT,  (c.)  Please  don't  talk  about  such 
matters  now. 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  I  must.  You  know  it,  don't 
you? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  But  do  you  know  that  Perry — 
to  say  nothing  of  myself — is  heavily  involved  too? 
Do  you  know  that — if  you  succeed — all  the  money 
that  we  have — will  be  lost — and  that  we  shall  be 
dependent — on  Mr.  Wainwright? 

BENNETT.    Dallas ! 

DALLAS.  Do  you  know  it?  (There  is  a  short 
pause) 

BENNETT.    Yes,  I  know  it. 

DALLAS.  And  knowing  it  means  ruin  for  us. 
You  still  intend  to  oppose  the  bill  ? 

BENNETT,     (c.)     I  must. 

DALLAS.     Why  ? 

BENNETT.    It  is  my  duty  to  oppose  it. 

GIBBS.     (L.)    Duty? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  103 

WAINWRIGHT.  (R.  c.)  Duty!  That's  a  fine  ex 
cuse.  Was  it  your  "  duty  "  that  made  you  sell  stock 
short,  the  day  after  you  vetoed  the  bill. 

BENNETT.     I  did  not  sell  the  stock  short,     (c.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  Openly— no!  You  hadn't  the 
courage  to  do  that,  so  you  selected  her  brother  as  the 
stool-pigeon  and  sold  it  through  him. 

DALLAS.    He  speculated  in  Borough  stock. 

WAINWRIGHT.  He  did  and  used  your  brother  as 
the  cat's  paw.  Perry's  actions  made  me  suspicious 
and  I  had  him  watched.  The  result  is  that  I  have 
positive  proof  that  he  advanced  Perry  the  money  to 
sell  the  stock  short.  Now  can  you  see  why  he  fights 
the  bill. 

DALLAS.     (L.  c.)     If  he  defeats  it—? 

WAINWRIGHT.  He  makes  money!  That  is  an 
other  reason  why  he  is  trying  to  defeat  it ! 

DALLAS.  This  isn't  true.  It  can't  be  true,  Alwyn. 
(There  is  a  pause)  Deny  it,  Alwyn.  Deny  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.     (R.)     He  can't!    It  is  true! 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  And  if  it  is— you  can  explain, 
can't  you  ? 

BENNETT,     (c.)     No. 

WAINWRIGHT.    There  you  see 

GIBBS.    (L.)    And  he  talks  of  "  duty." 

DALLAS.    (L.  c.)    Alwyn.    Did  you  do  as  he  says ? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

DALLAS.    And  can  give  no  explanation. 

BENNETT,     (c.)     None. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (R.)  What  do  you  think  of  your 
ideal  now  ? 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  Think  of  him.  I  haven't  the 
words  to  express  what  I  think  of  him.  I  thought  I 
knew  him,  I  find  I  do  not.  I  thought  I  understood 
him,  I  find  I  have  been  mistaken.  I  thought  him  a 
man  of  honor,  instead  I  find  a  man  who  uses  his 
public  office  for  his  private  gain!  Mr.  Gibbs,  you 
have  waited  for  your  answer  long  enough.  Any 
time  you  desire  it  now  it  will  be  ready. 


104          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

GIBBS.    Dear. 

BENNETT.    You  mean 

DALLAS.  You  know  what  I  mean  and  you  under 
stand. 

BENNETT.    Dallas. 

DALLAS.  Your  arm  please.  (DALLAS  and  GIBBS 
exeunt  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  That  fixes  that  little  matter  all 
right.  Whatever  happens  now  you  loose  her. 

BENNETT.  At  least  I  shall  retain  my  self  respect. 
I  love  your  niece,  you  know  it.  She  means  more  to 
me  than  ^the^  office  of  Mayor,  Governor,  President 
or  anything  in  the  world. 

WAINWRIGHT.  No  one  knows  of  this  except  us 
four.  I  haven't  even  told  Horigan.  There  is  an 
easy  way  to  win  her — why  not  take  it  ? 

BENNETT.  Because  I'll  win  her  the  right  way  or 
not  at  all.  I  won't  purchase  her  at  a  price.  I'd  give 
my  life  to  have  her  come  to  me  fairly  and  honestly, 
but  I  won't  graft  even  for  her. 

CURTAIN. 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE: — The  scene  is  a  divided  stage  set  as  in 
diagram  below. 

It  shows  two  rooms  in  the  City  Hall  with  a  door 
between  them.  In  each  room  is  an  oblong  table, 
c.  on  which  are  pens,  ink  and  paper.  There  is 
a  chair  R.  L.  c.  and  another  R.  L.  c.  of  each  table, 
and  there  are  also  two  comfortable  office  chairs 
in  each  room,  as  well  as  a  telephone.  The  room 
R.  is  used  by  HORIGAN  as  his  office  on  thA 
important  occasions  when  he  considers  his 
presence  necessary  at  the  City  Hall.  When  the 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  105 

curtain  rises  HORIGAN,  WAINWRIGHT  and  GIBBS 
are  discovered  in  the  room.  There  is  about  them 
an  air  of  tension  and  excitement.  GIBBS  is 
palpably  nervous,  WAINWRIGHT  shows  sup 
pressed  anxiety  and  HORIGAN  is  carrying  mat 
ters  with  an  air  of  steadiness  and  coolness  which 
he  is  far  from  feeling.  WAINWRIGHT  is  sitting 
L.  GIBBS  c.  up.  HORIGAN  is  sitting  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  (L.  of  table)  How  long  do  you 
think  it  will  before  they  take  up  our  bill? 

HORIGAN.  (R.  of  table)  About  half  an  hour,  I 
should  say. 

GIBBS,  (c.  of  table)  And  if  Ellis  or  Roberts 
should  not  come  before  then  we  shall ! 

HORIGAN.    Don't  worry  they'll  come. 

GIBBS.    Perhaps  one  of  them  is  here  now. 

HORIGAN.  No.  If  there  was,  Williams  would 
have  reported. 

GIBBS.    Then  he  knows  where  you  are? 

HORIGAN.  Sure.  When  the  deal's  important 
enough  to  bring  me  over  here  anybody  who  has 
business  with  me  knows  he  can  find  me  in  this 
room. 

WAINWRIGHT.  And  a  very  convenient  room  it  is 
too. 

GIBBS.    Why? 

WAINWRIGHT.  Because  there's  only  that  door. 
(Indicating  the  door  R.)  between  it  and  one  of  the 
ante-rooms  to  the  Council  Chamber. 

GIBBS.    I  see. 

HORIGAN.  This  office  and  the  two  next  that  way, 
(Indicating  the  room  L.)  belonged  to  the  Comp 
troller,  but  when  he  moved  his  office  upstairs  they 
were  turned  into  the  so-called  Committee  rooms. 
They're  practically  never  used  and  now  it's  under 
stood  that  when  I'm  on  the  ground  this  one  belongs 
to  me. 

GIBBS.   Good  idea. 


io6          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

(HORIGAN  takes  out  a  cigar-case  and  offers  it  to 
WAINWRIGHT.) 

HORIGAN.    Have  a  cigar. 
WAINWRIGHT.    No  thanks. 
HORIGAN.     (To  GIBBS)     Gibbs. 
GIBBS.    Thank  you. 

( GIBBS  takes  a  cigar,  puts  it  between  his  touch,  but 
does  not  light  it.  Instead  he  chews  on  it 
nervously.  HORIGAN  offers  case  to  WAIN- 
WRIGHT.  HORIGAN  replaces  cigar  case  in  his 
pocket.  WILLIAMS  enters  R.  from  Council 
Chamber.) 

WILLIAMS.    Ellis  has  come 

HORIGAN.    Good. 

GIBBS.    Now  all  we  need  is  Roberts. 

HORIGAN.    That's  all. 

HORIGAN.  There's  an  awful  mob  in  there.  (In 
dicating  council  chamber)  The  gallery ^ is  packed. 

WAINWRIGHT.    How  are  they  behaving? 

HORIGAN.  All  right  so  far;  if  they  make  any 
trouble,  put  through  a  motion  to  have  the  gallery 
cleared.  We  may  have  to  call  in  the  police,  if  we 
do,  we'll  call  'em  in.  (Ready  phone.  WILLIAMS 
exits  R.  HORIGAN  goes  to  the  phone)  Give  me  900 
F.  (Short  pause)  Is  this  the  Station  House? 
Hello.  Is  the  captain  there !  Tell  him  Mr.  Horigan 
wants  to  talk  to  him.  Yes,  Mr.  Horigan !  (Short 
pause)  Yes,  this  is  Horigan.  That  you,  Captain? 
I'm  at  the  City  Hall.  There's  a  mob  in  the  Alder- 
manic  Chamber  and  it  may  be  necessary  to  clear  'em 
out.  Send  up  a  squad  of  the  boys  right  away.  Tell 
them  to  bring  their  night  sticks  with  them,  take  no 
back  talk  and  not  to  be  afraid  to  use  them.  Yes, 
I'll  stand  behind  'em  for  anything  they  do.  Right 
away  remember.  Good-bye.  (  HORIGAN  replaces 
phone.  Goes  down  R.)  I'll  show  them  people 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  107 

they're  not  up  against  a  kindergarten.     (There  is  a 
pause) 

(PAYNE  enters  committee  room  from  entrance  c. 
He  comes  in  briskly,  sits  at  table,  and  writes 
quickly.) 

WAINWRIGHT.  I  hope  it  won't  be  necessary  to 
use  force 

HORIGAN.    Why  ? 

WAINWRIGHT.    I  prefer  diplomacy. 

HORIGAN.    That's  something  I  don't  understand. 

GIBBS.    They  are  the  voters,  you  know. 

HORIGAN.  Yes.  They  vote  but  we  count.  (Tele 
phone  bell  rings.  HORIGAN  goes  to  telephone)  Yes, 
this  is  Mr.  Horigan.  Who?  Alderman  Roberts. 

GIBBS.     (Quickly)     Roberts — he  isn't  coming! 

HORIGAN.  (Savagely)  Oh,  shut  up.  (At  tele 
phone)  No !  Not  you  Roberts  ! — I  said  "  not  you." 
(Both  WAINWRIGHT  and  GIBBS  are  deeply  inter 
ested,  GIBBS  intensely  so  and  shoiving  it  plainly. 
He  chezvs  nervous  on  his  cigar)  Yes,  this  is 
Horigan.  What  do  you  want  to  see  me  for? 
(Pause)  No.  It's  all  settled.  (Short  pause)  It  is 
I  tell  you.  (Another  pause)  Well,  if  you  must  see 
me  come  to  my  room  at  the  City  Hall.  (Short 
pause)  No,  I  won't  come  to  see  you. 

GIBBS.     (Nervously)     Perhaps  you'd  better. 

HORIGAN.  I'll  be  waiting  for  you.  You  know 
my  room.  (Short  pause)  Then  don't  come  that 
way !  Come  through  the  two  committee  rooms  and 
knock  on  my  door  twice — (Short  pause)  under 
stand,  I'll  be  waiting — yes  alone — and  see  that  you 
come — for  if  you  don't — look  out  for  yourself — 
(HORIGAN  replaces  phone — goes  down  R.) 

GIBBS.    Will  he  come? 

HORIGAN.    Yes. 

GIBBS.    How  soon?    (Goes  to  HORIGAN) 

HORIGAN.    Says  he'll  be  here  in  fifteen  minutes. 


io8          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

GIBBS.    But  if  he  isn't? 

HORIGAN.  (Playing  for  laugh)  What  are  you— 
the  human  interrogation  point !  If  he  isn't,  he  won't 
be — but  he  will ! 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Sitting  L.  of  table.  Indicating 
GIBBS)  He's  nervous  to-night. 

HORIGAN.  I  should  say  he  is.  Look  at  that 
cigar.  (They  look  at  the  cigar  which  GIBBS  has  been 
chewing)  Have  another.  And  smoke  this  one — 
don't  try  to  make  a  meal  of  it. 

(WAINWRIGHT  rises  and  crosses  to  HORIGAN. 
HORIGAN  hands  a  fresh  cigar  to  GIBBS.  DALLAS 
and  PERRY  appear  at  door  c.  leading  to  Com 
mittee  Room.  PAYNE  sits  L.  of  table.) 

PERRY.    (To  DALLAS)    I'll  ask  him. 
DALLAS.    Do. 

(They  enter  the  room.) 

PERRY.  (Crosses  down  R.  DALLAS  above  table 
c.)  I  beg  your  pardon,  but  can  you  tell  me  where 
the  meeting  of  the  aldermen  is,  to-night? 

PAYNE.  (Briskly  without  looking  up)  At  the 
end  of  the  hall.  (Indicating  R.) 

PERRY.  Thank  you.  (PERRY  and  DALLAS  start 
to  exeunt  c.) 

PAYNE.  Not  much  use  your  going — biggest 
crowd  ever  in  there  and  talk  about  being  hot — it's 
so  hot  that  compared  to  it — (PAYNE  looks  up  and 
sees  DALLAS)  I  beg  your  pardon.  (Rises) 

PERRY.    A  big  crowd  is  there. 

PAYNE.    Enormous. 

DALLAS.  (Going  to  PERRY)  Then  there's  no 
chance  of  our  getting  seats. 

PAYNE.  I  may  be  able  to  get  one.  I'm  a  news 
paper  man.  May  I  try  ? 

DALLAS.    But  the  trouble  ? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  109 

PAYNE.  (Starting  to  go)  None  at  all.  I  assure 
you. 

DALLAS.    You're  very  kind. 

PERRY.    Will  it  be  all  right  for  us  to  wait  here? 

PAYNE.  Certainly.  Nominally  this  is  a  com 
mittee  room,  really  it's  nothing  of  the  sort.  We 
often  work  in  here.  PAYNE  exits  c.  to  R.  DALLAS 
goes  up  c.  then  down  L.  PERRY  goes  down  R.) 

GIBBS.  I'm  going  where  I  can  walk  about.  (Exits 
R.) 

HORIGAN.    I  thought  you  said  Gibbs  was  game. 

WAINWRIGHT.    He  is. 

HORIGAN.  No.  He's  a  quitter,  and  there  are  two 
things  I  can't  stand  for,  a  traitor  and  a  quitter. 
(Rises  and  moves  to  front  of  desk,  meets  WAIN- 
WRIGHT  c.  Then  turns  up-stage,  takes  seat  at  back) 

PERRY.    And  now  what?     (Going  to  DALLAS) 

DALLAS.  (L.  c.)  I  suppose  I  was  foolish  to  come, 
but  I  couldn't  help  it.  I  had  to  know  what  was 
being  done. 

PERRY.  You're  upset.  That's  what's  the  matter 
with  you.  (R.  c.) 

DALLAS.  (Rises)  I'm  more  than  upset.  Since 
the  night  of  the  ball— I— I 

PERRY.  The  first  days  of  the  engagement  are  said 
to  be  the  happiest,  in  peoples  lives.  It  certainly 
hasn't  been  that  way  with  you. 

DALLAS.    No,  it  hasn't. 

PERRY.  Poor  old  girl.  (PERRY  places  his  arm 
about  DALLAS) 

DALLAS.  Don't.  If  you  sympathize  with  me  I — 
Oh,  I  don't  know  what  I  shall  do. 

(BENNETT  and  PHELAN  enter  c.  from  R.) 

BENNETT.  (Speaking  as  he  comes  on)  I  know 
I  promised  it  but — !  (c.  Sees  DALLAS.  There  is  a 
pause)  Good-evening. 


no          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 
(DALLAS  bows.) 

PHELAN.    (L.)    Eveninf  Miss. 

DALLAS.     (Faintly,  down  L.)     Alderman. 

BENNETT.  I  merely  wish  to  write  a  short  note. 
(To  PHELAN)  Perhaps  it  isn't  necessary,  anyway. 

PHELAN.  You  said  you'd  send  it.  And  though  / 
found  him  he's  doin'  business  with  you. 

BENNETT.  Very  well.  (To  DALLAS)  Excuse 
me.  (BENNETT  sits  at  table  and  writes  c.) 

PHELAN.  (PHELAN  comes  down  L.  to  DALLAS) 
I  read  in  the  papers  about  your  engagement. 

DALLAS.    Did  you  ? 

PHELAN.  I'm  sorry  Mr.  Gibbs  is  lined  up  against 
us  in  this  Borough  Franchise  fight  because  we'll 
put  him  away  sure.  Why,  our  first  blow  will  land 
on  him  so  hard  he  won't  know  his  own  home  with 
out  seein'  his  name  on  the  door-plate. 

(BENNETT    finishes    writing    and    hands    note    to 
PHELAN.) 

BENNETT.    Where  shall  I  meet  you? 

PHELAN.  This  is  as  good  a  place  as  any  unless — ! 
(Looks  at  DALLAS  and  PERRY) 

PERRY.    We  shall  go  in  a  minutes  or  so 

PHELAN.    Then  what's  the  matter  with  this? 

BENNETT.    It  suits  me. 

PHELAN.  Then  here  it  is.  (To  DALLAS) 
Evenin'!  (DALLAS  bows.  PHELAN  exits  c.  to  L. 
There  is  short  pause) 

BENNETT.  This  is  the  first  chance  I  have  had  to 
offer  my  felicitations.  I  hope  you'll  be  very  happy. 

DALLAS.    Thank  you. 

(BENNETT  starts  toward  exit  c.) 
PERRY.     (Goes  to  BENNETT)    What's  the  hurry? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  m 

BENNETT.    I  might  be  needed. 

PERRY.    Why,  is  the  big  fight  on  ? 

BENNETT.     Will  be  soon. 

DALLAS.  Of  course  you  are  going  to  fight  to  the 
end? 

BENNETT.    Certainly !  Why  shouldn't  I  ? 

DALLAS.    Why  should  you  ? 

BENNETT.  Dallas — and  this  is  probably  the  last 
time  I  shall  call  you  by  that  name — I  am  not  going 
to  plead  for  a  rehearing — the  verdict  was  against 
me.  And  I  accepted  it  as  best  I  can.  But  some  day 
I  think  you'll  find  you  have  made  a  mistake. 

DALLAS.    Perhaps. 

BENNETT.  I  don't  mean  in  preferring  Gibbs  to 
me — I  mean  that  you  have  made  a  mistake  some 
where  in  your  judgment  of  me  and  I  hope  that  some 
day  you  will  find  it  out  because  I  want  to  be  set 
right  in  your  eyes.  That's  all.  Good-bye.  (To 
PERRY)  Good-night,  Perry 

PERRY.  Good-night,  Alwyn.  (BENNETT  exits 
through  doors  c.  R.  and  across  the  hall)  He's  a 
thoroughbred.  (PERRY  comes  down  R.  DALLAS 
comes  down  L.) 

DALLAS.     I  used  to  think  that. 

PERRY.    Why  have  you  changed  your  mind  ? 

DALLAS.  You  know  very  well  why  I  have 
changed  it,  but  you  don't  seem  to  realize  that  if  he 
succeeds  to-night  nearly  all  the  money  we  have  will 
be  lost. 

PERRY.  Oh,  yes,  I  do  realize  it.  But  fear  not 
little  sister,  brother  Perry  will  take  care  of  you. 

DALLAS.     Can't  you  be  serious  ? 

PERRY.  Not  about  this.  What  do  I  care  for  the 
vulgar  money.  (Crosses  u.  R.) 

(PAYNE  enters  R.  crosses  the  hall  quickly  and  enters 
room.  PERRY  turns  up-stage  R.  DALLAS  turns 
up  L.) 


ii2          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

PAYNE.  I  was  in  great  luck — got  two  seats  on  the 
lower  floor,  (c.  back  of  desk) 

DALLAS.    It  is  very  kind  of  you. 

PAYNE.  Not  all.  I've  told  the  door-keeper.  He'll 
send  a  man  with  you. 

DALLAS.    Thank  you  once  more. 

PAYNE,  (c.)  I  don't  know  how  long  you'll  be 
able  to  stand  it.  There's  an  awful  crowd  in  there. 

PERRY.  We'll  manage  some  way.  Thank  you 
very  much.  (PERRY  and  DALLAS  exeunt  c.  to  R. 
PAYNE  R.  resumes  his  writing  c.  of  desk) 

WAINWRIGHT.  What  about  that  other  one  you 
had  out  for  Bennett? 

HORIGAN.    It  hooked  him  all  right. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Evidently  you  didn't  land  him. 

HORIGAN.    No. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Then  if  Roberts  doesn't  come? 

HORIGAN.    He  will. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Was  it  wise  to  have  him  come 
here? 

HORIGAN.  I'll  tell  you.  He  wants  to  weaken. 
I  don't  want  to  let  him  and  it  improves  my  chances 
fifty  per  cent  by  having  him  come  here.  I've  found 
by  experience  that  it  makes  a  heap  of  difference  if 
the  other  felloiv  comes  to  see  you,  or  if  you  go  to 
see  him. 

WAINWRIGHT.  When  are  you  going  to  make 
public  that  story  I  told  you  about  Bennett  selling 
the  stock 

HORIGAN.  At  what  the  story  writers  call  "the 
psychological  moment."  It  hasn't  come  yet,  but  it 
soon  will. 

( GIBBS  enters  R.) 

GIBBS.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  I  have  a  surprise 
for  you. 

(DALLAS  and  PERRY  enter  R.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  113 

WAINWRIGHT.    Dallas!     (Rises) 
GIBBS.    I  found  her  out  there  and  persuaded  her 
to  come  to  see  you. 

(DALLAS  sees  HORIGAN.) 

DALLAS.  (To  GIBBS)  But  you  didn't  tell  me 
Uncle  was  alone. 

GIBBS.  Let  me  present  Mr.  Horigan.  (Introduc 
ing  ^  HORIGAN  and  indicating  DALLAS)  Miss  Wain- 
wright!  (They  bow—indicating  PERRY)  Mr. 
Wainwright. 

PERRY.    How  do  you  do ! 

( HORIGAN  bows.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    What  are  you  doing  here? 

PERRY.  (Going  down  R.)  I  brought  Dallas  to 
see  the  fun. 

DALLAS.    No,  I  made  him  bring  me. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Why  ? 

DALLAS.  My  uncle's  money's  in  the  balance— so 
is — my  fiance's — so  is  my  brothers — so  is  my  own 
I  am  interested  more  than  anyone.  Why  should  7  be 
expected  to  stay  quietly  at  home  waiting  for  the 
news? 

HORIGAN.  There's  the  right  spirit?  (To  GIBBS) 
I  congratulate  you.  (WILLIAMS  enters  R.  hurriedly) 

WILLIAMS.    What!    The  police  have  come. 

DALLAS  and  PERRY.    The  police ! 

HORIGAN.  (To  DALLAS)  That's  all  right.  (To 
(WILLIAMS)  Well,  you  know  what  to  do.  Afraid 
to  take  the  responsibility.  But  you  will. 

DALLAS.    Why  have  the  police  come  ? 

HORIGAN.     To  clear  the  Gallery  if  necessary. 

WAINWRIGHT.    So  you  see,  you  can't  go  in  there. 

DALLAS.    Why  not  ?    I'm  not  going  in  the  gallery. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Anyway  you  can't  go  on  the  floor. 
You  can  sit  in  the  ante-room  and  wait. 


ii4          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

DALLAS.  Sit  and  wait.  Sit  and  wait — that's  all 
you  men  think  a  woman  is  good  for  ?  I  shall  go  in. 

HORIGAN.  (To  WILLIAMS)  Then  see  about  a 
seat  for  Miss  Wainwright. 

PERRY.    We  have  them. 

HORIGAN.  See  that  she  gets  one  next  to  the  ante 
room  so  there'll  be  no  trouble  getting  out.  Have 
somebody  moved  if  necessary. 

PERRY.    Yes,  I'll  fix  it. 

(WILLIAMS  exits  R.) 

DALLAS.     (To  HORIGAN)     You  are  very  kind. 

HORIGAN.  Not  at  all.  There  isn't  any  danger. 
(To  PERRY)  There  probably  won't  be  the  slightest 
disturbances  but  if  there  is,  at  first  sign  of  it,  see  that 
she  gets  into  that  ante-room. 

PERRY.    I  will. 

HORIGAN.  (To  DALLAS)  And  remember  this 
room  is  entirely  at  your  disposal. 

DALLAS.    Thank  you. 

PERRY.  Now  let's  be  off.  (PERRY,  DALLAS  and 
GIBBS  exeunt) 

HORIGAN.    Gibbs. 

GIBBS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.  Tell  Williams  to  spring  that  story 
about  Bennett's  speculation.  He'll  know  what  to  do. 

GIBBS.    Good.     (Exits) 

HORIGAN.  (Goes  doivn  R.  and  moves  to  front  of 
desk)  The  girl's  all  right.  She  has  spirit.  Two 
years  after  she's  married  to  Gibbs  they'll  either  quit 
or  he'll  be  eating  out  of  her  hand!  Personally  I 
think  they'll  quit. 

WAINWRIGHT.     (Going  to  L.  c.)     Why? 

HORTGAN.  She'll  find  the  yellow  streak.  Had  it 
been  Bennett — He  may  be  a  fool — but — he's  a  man ! 
I  thought  you  told  me  he  was  in  love  with  her. 

WAINWRTGTTT.    He  was.    And  is  still. 

HORIGAN.    Sure? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  115 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes.    He's  crazy  over  her. 
HORIGAN.     (Reflectively)    Oh,  is  he? 

(The  door  L.  leading  into  the  room  L.  is  opened 
cautiously  and  ROBERTS  enters.  He  sees 
PAYNE,  hesitates  then  starts  to  drazv  back  but 
PAYNE'S  attention  is  attracted  and  he  looks  up 
and  sees  him.) 

PAYNE.    Good-evening,  Alderman. 

ROBERTS.    Good-evening. 

PAYNE.  There's  a  full  attendance  to-night. 
You're  the  last. 

ROBERTS.  I'm  late,  but  I  couldn't  help  it.  (PAYNE 
gathers  up  his  paper  preparatory  to  leaving)  Going  ? 

PAYNE.  Yes,  I've  just  finished  the  preliminary 
to  the  real  stuff.  "  The  Alderman  moved  uneasily, 
for  the  gallery  was  packed  with  a  mob  ominously 
quiet,  and  that  sort  of  thing.  (He  goes  to  exit  c.) 
Coming  Alderman  ? 

ROBERTS.    Not  just  now. 

(PAYNE  exits  c.  to  R.    There  is  a  short  pause.    Then 
he  goes  to  door  R.  and  knocks  twice.) 

HORIGAN.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  Roberts. 
(HORIGAN  pantomimes  for  WAINWRIGHT  to  leave. 
WAIN  WRIGHT  exits  R.  HORIGAN  goes  to  door  L.) 
Who  is  it  ? 

ROBERTS.    Roberts. 

(HORIGAN  opens  door,  ROBERTS  :nters  and  crosses 
R.  HORIGAN  closes  door,  and  locks  it.  PAYNE 
appears  at  door  c.  of  room  L.  just  as  the  door 
closes.) 

PAYNE.    I  guessed  as  much.    (Hesitates  as  if  not 

knowing   what    to    do.     As   if  struck    bv   a   good 
thought)     I  will.     (Quickly  goes  doivn  hall  to  R.) 


Ii6          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

HORIGAN.    Well,  what  is  it? 

ROBERTS.    I  can't  do  it. 

HORIGAN.    Can't  do  what? 

ROBERTS.    Vote  for  that  bill. 

ROBERTS.  (Goes  towards  HORIGAN)  Do  you 
know  what  Bennett  did?  He  came  into  my  ward, 
organized  a  committee  of  voters  and  sent  them  to 
me  at  my  house.  They  said  *  If  you  vote  against  the 
bill  you're  honest.  If  you  vote  for  it,  you're  a  thief. 
Which  are  you?  Then  I  tried  to  explain  and  they 
said :  '  We  think  you're  a  thief,  Roberts.  Friday 
night  will  tell  whether  you  are  or  not." 

HORIGAN.  You'll  have  the  money  when  that's  all 
blown  over.  Then  you'll  find  people  won't  ask  how 
you  got  it.  They'll  only  ask  have  you  got  it. 

ROBERTS.  Then  they  sent  their  wives  to  call  on 
my  wife  while  I  was  away.  They  said  to  her  "  Ay 
your  husband  honest  or  isn't  he?  Our  husbands 
want  to  know.  If  he  is  honest,  he  will  vote  as  he 
did  before.  For  your  own  sake  find  out  what  he's 
going  to  do !  "  When  I  returned  she  asked  me  what 
it  meant,  and  I  couldn't  explain.  I  can't  stand  it. 
I'm  not  a  thief.  I'm  an  honest  man. 

HORIGAN.  Of  course  you  are.  You  vote  for  the 
Franchise  because  of  your  Park  Hill. 

ROBERTS.  No  I  don't.  I  agreed  to  vote  for  it — 
because — well,  you  know  why.  And  I  can't  do  it. 

HORIGAN.    You'll  have  to  do  it ! 

ROBERTS.    I  can't,  I  tell  you. 

HORIGAN.  I  say  you  can  and  will.  I  sent  you 
those  notes  and  if • 

ROBERTS.  There  they  are — take  them.  (Places 
notes  on  table) 

HORIGAN.    No.    They're  yours. 

ROBERTS.    They're  not.    I  don't  want  them. 

HORIGAN.  Neither  do  I.  I  hold  you  to  your 
word. 

(PAYNE  re-appears  at  door  c.   of  room   L.     He 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  117 

pantomimes  off  R.  as  if  telling  someone  "  Yes, 
that's  the  place"  Then  he  stands  back  in  the 
hall  and  watches  the  door  to  the  room  R.  The 
door  v.  of  room  R.  suddenly  opens  and  BENNETT 
enters.  There  is  a  short  pause.) 

BENNETT.    I  think  I'm  interested  in  this. 

HORIGAN.    What  do  you  mean  by ! 

BENNETT.  (To  ROBERTS)  Well,  what  are  you 
going  to  do? 

(ROBERTS  is  R.   of  table.     HORIGAN  L.   of  table, 
BENNETT  back  c.  of  table.) 

ROBERTS.  I — I — (His  eyes  wander  to  the  notes 
on  desk) 

HORIGAN.    See  here ! 

BENNETT.  I  still  think  you're  an  honest  man  and 
\i—(Sees  the  notes)  What's  this  ?  (Picks  up  notes 
and  looks  at  them)  Notes 

HORIGAN.    Put  those  down. 

BENNETT.    Are  they  yours  ? 

HORIGAN.  Anyway  they're  not  yours,  and  if  you 
dare  read  them 

BENNETT.  Make  up  your  mind  right  now  that 
I'm  going  to  read  them—  (Reads  notes)  So  that's 
it.  (Goes  to  ROBERTS.  Looks  at  ROBERTS,  who 
drops  his  head)  What  about  it,  Roberts  ?  You  were 
to  get  these  in  return  for  your  vote,  weren't  you? 
(Short  pause)  Weren't  you?  (ROBERTS  nods)  I 
thought  so. 

ROBERTS.  I  could  have  kept  them  and  have  voted 
as  I  did  before — and  he  couldn't  have  said  a  word, 
but  I  didn't.  I  came  to  give  them  back.  I'm  honest. 

BENNETT.  (Kindly)  Of  course  you  are.  Heat- 
tempted  to  bribe  you  and  you  refused.  It's  as  clear 
as  day.  Go  into  the  Council  Room  and  vote  as  your 
conscience  tells  you.  (ROBERTS  exits  R.  PAYNE 
comes  into  room  L.  BENNETT  carefully  folds  the 


n8  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

notes,  puts  them  in  his  pocket  and  starts  towards  the 
door  v.  HORICAN  interposes)  Well? 

HORIGAN.    Give — me — those  notes  ! 

BENNETT.  Why  should  I  ?  They're  not  endorsed 
over  to  you  and  they're  not  cancelled.  They  belong 
to  the  Sturtevant  Trust  Company  and  they'll  receive 
them  to-morrow — after  they  have  been  photo 
graphed. 

HORIGAN.  You  don't  leave  this  room  till  I  get 
them. 

BENNETT.  Don't  be  a  fool.  I  could  go  this  way — 
(Indicating  door  R.  which  leads  to  ante-room) 
without  any  trouble.  Instead  I  am  going  that  way — • 
(Indicating  door  c.)  because  I  am  going  into  that 
room.  (Indicating  room  L.)  And  it's  nearer.  And 
just  get  this  into  your  head.  You  can't  bully  me. 
I'm  not  afraid  of  you.  I'm  going  into  that  room  that 
way  and  you  can't  stop  me. 

HORIGAN.    I  can  try. 

BENNETT.  You  can  if  you  wish.  It's  for  you  to 
say.  (Goes  towards  the  door.  He  looks  HORIGAN 
squarely  in  the  eye.  It  is  a  test  of  the  will  of  the 
two  men  and  BENNETT  wins.  HORIGAN  falters. 
He  goes  to  door  opens  it  and  exits  c.  to  L.  HORIGAN 
gives  an  ejaculation  of  rage  and  discomfiture,  and 
goes  down  L.  BENNETT  enters  room  L.  through  c. 
from  R.)  I'm  much  obliged  to  you,  Payne.  (Going 
c.) 

PAYNE.    I  was  right? 

BENNETT.    Yes. 

PAYNE.    Do  I  get  the  story  ? 

BENNETT.  Certainly.  You're  entitled  to  it.  I'll 
see  you  when  the  session  is  over. 

PAYNE.  Much  obliged.  (BENNETT  exits  c.  to  R. 
PAYNE  resumes  writing.  PHELAN  enters  L.  shutting 
the  door  cautiously  behind  him.  PAYNES  sees 
PHELAN)  His  honor  has  promised  me  the  full 
story. 

PHELAN.    Then  you're  sure  to  get  it. 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  119 

PAYNE.    It's  going  to  be  a  corker. 

PHELAN.    That's  what  it  is.     (Exits  c.  to  R.) 

( GIBBS  enters  room  R.  through  door  R.) 

GIBBS.  I  saw  Roberts  come  in.  It's  all  right, 
isn't  it  ? 

HORIGAN.    We've  lost.     (Up  L.  c.) 

GIBBS.    Lost  ? 

HORIGAN.    Bennett's  whipped  us. 

GIBBS.  (Sitting  on  R.  chair  of  table.  Panic 
stricken)  Good  God !  Good  God! 

HORIGAN.  (c.  above  table)  What  are  you 
squealing  about?  You've  got  only  twenty-five  per 
cent  of  the  deal. 

GIBBS.  That  would  be  bad  enough  but  I've — 
I've 

HORIGAN.  You've  what?  (There  is  a  pause. 
Goes  to  GIBBS.  HORIGAN  looks  at  GIBBS  and  the 
truth  strikes  him — takes  him  by  collar  of  coat,  lifts 
him  up  and  looks  him  in  the  face,  then  drops  him  in 
chair)  You  are  the  man  who  was  tailing  on.  So 
you  bought  the  stock  for  your  own  account.  You 
were  false  to  your  partners.  Damn  you  it  serves 
you  right,  (down  GIBBS) 

GIBBS.  I  thought  I  might  as  well  buy  the  stock 
as  anyone  else.  It  wouldn't  do  Wainwright  any 
harm.  It  wouldn't  do  you  any  harm,  and  it  would 
have  made  me  a  million  instead  I'm  a  bankrupt. 

HORIGAN.  Don't  whine  about  it.  Stand-up — and 
take  your  medicine  like  the  rest  of  us. 

GIBBS.  Is  there  no  way  we  can  get  Bennett  to 
keep  his  hands  off?  I'd  do  anything. 

HORIGAN.    Anything  ? 

GIBBS.    Yes,  anything! 

HORIGAN.  (Goes  to  GIBBS)  Then  there's  one 
more  chance.  I've  always  known  one  of  three  things 
to  get  a  man — money,  ambition  or  a  woman. 


120  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

Bennett's  price  isn't  money  and  it  isn't  ambition, 
perhaps  it  is  a  woman. 

GIBBS.  (Rising  and  going  to  front  of  table  to) 
A  woman  ? 

HORIGAN.  Yes,  and  you  know  which  one.  He's 
in  love  with  the  girl  you're  engaged  to!  Under 
stand  ? 

GIBBS.    No. 

HORIGAN.  Tell  him  you'll  break  the  engagement 
if  he'll  let  the  bill  go  through.  It's  our  only  chance. 

GIBBS.    He  wouldn't  do  it. 

HORIGAN.  It  could  do  no  harm  to  try,  and  if  he 
refused  and  said  anything  about  it,  it  would  be  your 
word  against  his. 

GIBBS.    I  could  deny  it,  couldn't  I  ? 

HORIGAN.  Certainly.  (Unlocking  door  leading 
to  room  L.  Going  back  of  table)  He's  in  there ;  ask 
him  in  here,  and  try  it. 

GIBBS.    He  woudln't.     (Going  in  front  of  table) 

HORIGAN.  It's  the  only  thing  that  stands  between 
you  and  ruin.  It  means  a  lot  to  me  too—you'll  do 
it? 

GIBBS.    Yes. 

HORIGAN.    Good.     (Exits  c.) 

GIBBS.    I  was  told  his  honor  was  here. 

PAYNE.    He  was,  but  he's  left— want  to  see  him? 

GIBBS.  I've  got  to  see  him.  Know  where  he's 
gone? 

PAYNE.    No. 

GIBBS.    Thanks.    (Exits  up  c.) 

PAYNE.    Much  obliged.    (Exits) 

(PERRY  and  DALLAS  enter  room  R.) 

PERRY.  What  an  awful  crowd  there  is  in  there? 
(Crosses  to  L.  of  table) 

DALLAS.  Dreadful.  It  was  suffocating.  '(Sits 
in  chair  R.  of  table) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  121 

(PHELAN  appears  at  door  R.,  comes  on  closing  door 
after  him.) 

PHELAN.  You're  the  man  /  want  to  see.  (To  the 
R.  of  PERRY) 

PERRY.    What  about?    (L.) 

PHELAN.  (c.)  That  lie  they're  telling  in  there 
about  his  honor  selling  Borough  Stock  through 
you 

PERRY.    You'd  better  ask  him. 

PHELAN.    I  have. 

PERRY.    Does  he  deny  it  ? 

PHELAN.  No.  He  don't  deny  it  and  he  won't 
explain. 

PERRY.    Then  there  you  are.     (Drops  down  L.) 

DALLAS.  (R.)  He  did  it,  Mr.  Phelan.  He  ad 
mitted  it  to  me. 

PHELAN.    But  why  did  he  do  it?     (c.) 

DALLAS.    For  the  profit  of  course. 

PHELAN.  Profit?  If  it  was  money  he  wanted 
he  could  have  had  a  million  just  for  keeping  his 
hands  off.  What's  the  profit  he  could  make  through 
him  compared  to  that  ? 

DALLAS.  I — I  never  thought  of  it  in  that  light — 
Perry ! 

PHELAN.  (To  PERRY)  You  can  clear  this  up 
and  you've  got  to  do  it.  Do  you  hear — you've  got 

PERRY.  (L.)  Got  to!  Don't  take  that  tone  with 
me  Mr.  Phelan. 

PHELAN.  I  was  wrong  boy — but  you  don't  seem 
to  understand  what  this  means.  They're  sayin'  in 
there  that's  Bennett's  a  fraud  and  worse.  That  he 
used  his  office  to  make  money  for  himself  and  I 
know  it's  a  lie.  You  know  it  too,  and  you  must  tell — 
you  must — to  save  him. 

PERRY.    But  I  promised. 

DALLAS.    What  did  you  promise  ? 

PERRY.    I  can't  tell  you. 

PHELAN.    You've  got  to  tell.    If  this  story  isn't 


122  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

contradicted  Bennett's  ruined,  his  career  is  ended, 
his  reputation  gone  and  he's  down  and  out  forever. 
It's  up  to  you  for  I  know  you  can  save  him  if  you'll 
tell  the  truth. 

DALLAS.     If  you  can,  Perry,  do!  do! 

PERRY.    Does  it  mean — all  that  ? 

PHELAN.  Yes.  And  now  tell  me,  boy — he  didn't 
sell  the  stock  to  make  money  for  himself,  did  he  ? 

PERRY.  Of  course  not  and  anybody  who  thought 
he  did  must  have  had  weed  in  his  roof  garden. 

PHELANO     I  knew  it.     (Crosses  back  of  desk  R.) 

DALLAS.  (Crosses  to  PERRY  L.)  Then — if  he 
didn't  do  it  for  himself  for  whom  did  he  do  it? 

PERRY.    For  you  and  me — principally  for  you. 

DALLAS.    For  me?     (L.  c.) 

PERRY.  Yes.  The  day  after  he  vetoed  the  bill  he 
publicly  stated  he  would  fight  it  to  the  end  and  ad 
vised  all  the  stockholders  to  sell  out  didn't  he? 

DALLAS.    Yes. 

PHELAN.     But  Wainwright  told  'em  not  to 

PERRY.  Exactly.  Well  it  was  Alwyn  against 
Uncle  and  I  was  with  Alwyn.  Uncle  refused  to 
surrender  the  actual  stock  he  held  for  Dallas  and 
me.  So  on  Alwyn's  advice  I  sold  the  exact  amount 
of  our  holdings  to  protect  us.  Alwyn  loaned  me  the 
money ;  that's  all  he  had  to  do  with  it. 

DALLAS.     Then  he  couldn't  possibly  profit  by  it. 

PERRY.    Of  course  not. 

PHELAN.    Young  man — come  with  me.     (R.) 

PERRY.    Where 

PHELAN.    In  there — to  tell  'em  the  truth. 

PERRY.  You  bet  I  will.  (Goes  to  door)  Wait 
here,  Dallas,  I  won't  be  long.  (PHELAN  and  PERRY 
exeunt) 

DALLAS.  (Alone)  He  did  it  for  me.  And  I 
accused  him — oh,  the  terrible  things  I  said — (Sits 

L.) 

(BENNETT  and  GIBBS  enter  room  L.) 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  123 

GIBBS.  Hello,  Bennett.  I've  been  looking  for 
you.  (R.  of  desk) 

BENNETT  ignores  GIBBS.) 

BENNETT.    Well. 
GIBBS.    I  want  to  see  you. 
BENNETT.    I've  no  time  to  spare. 
GIBBS.     This  is  important. 
BENNETT.    Well.     (Comes  down  c.) 
GIBBS.     (Indicating  room  R.)     Come  in  here. 
BENNETT.      (Going   front   of   table)      No.      If 
you've  anything  to  say  to  me — say  it. 

( GIBBS  hesitates  not  knowing  just  how  to  begin. 
DALLAS  sits.) 

GIBBS.  You've  won  the  fight,  and  yet  you've  lost, 
haven't  you  ? 

(DALLAS  hears  the  voices  and  remains  silent.) 

BENNETT.    What?    (L.  c.) 

GIBBS.  (R.  c.)  What  I've  won — Dallas!  I've 
won — what  you  want.  You've  won  what  /  want. 
Can't  we  trade  ? 

(DALLAS  rises  and  stands  listening.) 

BENNETT.    You'll  have  to  speak  plainer. 

GIBBS.  Dallas  was  tricked  into  marrying  me. 
She  doesn't  care  a  straw  for  me.  She  loves  you  and 
you  love  her.  Don't  you? 

BENNETT.    Well  ? 

GIBBS.  Just  the  same,  she  agreed  to  marry  me. 
And  as  long  as  I  hold  her  to  it,  she'll  keep  her 
promise.  You  want  me  to  speak  plainly  and  I'll  do 
it.  A  word  from  you  and  the  Borough  Franchise 
Bill,  will  pass.  Say  it  and  I'll  break  the  engagement 


124          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

and  leave  Dallas  free  to  marry  you.  If  you  don't 
say  it  /'//  marry  her! 

BENNETT.    No. 

GIBBS.  Wait.  You  don't  realize  what  it  means. 
The  defeat  of  the  bill  won't  make  you  any  money — 
it  won't  help  you  politically — it  won't  do  you  any 
good  in  the  world — it's  just  what  you  call  "  a  matter 
of  principle."  On  the  other  hand,  there's  Dallas,  the 
girl  you  love  and  who  loves  you.  It's  not  only  your 
happiness,  it's  hers,  to.  That's  the  way  it  stands — 
on  the  one  hand  your  "  principle  "  on  the  other,  her 
happiness  and  yours  !  Which  is  it  to  be  ? 

BENNETT.  What  a  dog  you  are,  Gibbs !  What  a 
low,  miserable,  cowardly  cur  you  are !  I  thought  I 
understood  you  pretty  well,  I  thought  I  knew  how 
mean  and  despicable  you  could  be.  But  I  was  mis 
taken.  I  didn't  know  half  of  it. 

GIBBS.    Then — you  refuse? 

BENNETT.    Yes,  I  refuse. 

GIBBS.    You're  a  fool.     (Goes  down  R.) 

BENNETT.  And  now,  listen.  When  you  see  me — 
get  out  of  my  way.  Don't  come  near  me,  don't 
speak  to  me,  for  if  ever  you  do  I'll  serve  you  worse 
than  I  did  before.  So,  remember.  (Exits  c.  to  R. 
There  is  a  slight  pause) 

PERRY.  (Enters  R.)  I  soon  made  everything 
plain  to  them.  They  understand  and  nobody  blames 
him. 

(GIBBS  enters  room  R.) 

GIBBS.    Why,  Dallas  I ! 

DALLAS.  Mr.  Bennett  called  you  a  low,  miserable, 
cowardly  cur — I  endorse  the  sentiment  to  the  last 
letter. 

PERRY.  I  don't  know  what  it's  all  about  but  that 
goes  with  me  too. 

GIBBS.    You  don't  mean  to  say  that • 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  125 

DALLAS.  I  mean  to  say  that  I  heard  your  proposi 
tion  and  Mr.  Bennett's  reply. 

GIBBS.  Surely  you  don't  take  that  seriously,  it 
you  do 

DALLAS.  I  was  tricked  once.  I  can't  be  tricked 
again. 

GIBBS.    But  Dallas  I 

DALLAS.  And  to  think  I  promised  to  marry  such 
a  man  as  you — that  you've  had  your  arm  about  me — 
that  I've  felt  your  kiss  on  my  cheek — You!  You! 
Oh,  the  degradation!  I  shall  never  forget  it.  I 
thank  God  that  I  came  here  to-night — that  I  found 
you  out  before  it  was  too  late.  And  now — go! 

GIBBS.    But  if  you'll  only  let  me 

DALLAS.  That  is  all,  Mr.  Gibbs.  (  GIBBS  exits 
c.)  They  lied  to  me !  They  lied  to  me !  (Going  L.) 

PERRY.    Who? 

DALLAS.    Uncle  and  Mr.  Gibbs. 

PERRY.  Well,  I  don't  know  what  they  said,  but  I 
am  willing  to  take  half  the  bet. 

DALLAS.  And  Alwyn — what  will  he  think  of  me  ? 
What  can  he  think  of  me?  (Cries  and  sinks  inte 
chair  L.  of  table} 

PERRY.  That's  right,  have  a  good  cry.  Don't  be 
a  piker,  have  a  good  one!  (There  is  a  pause. 
Softly)  Don't  forget  he  has  often  told  me  he  loves 
you. 

DALLAS.    He  has,  hasn't  he? 

PERRY.  (Back  to  comedy)  That's  what!  Un 
less  my  ears  got  the  wires  crossed. 

DALLAS.    (Rising)    I  must  see  him,  to-night. 

PERRY.    To-night  ? 

DALLAS.  (Goes  down  L. — PERRY  joins  her)  I 
have  misunderstood  and  wronged  him.  I  must  tell 
him  so. 

(PHELAN  and  PAYNE  enter  room  L.  at  donr  c. 
from  L.) 

PHELAN.    All  you  have  to  do  is  to  hunt  up  his 


126          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

honor,  say  that  everything's  O.  K.  and  that  I'm 
waitin'  for  him  here. 

PAYNE.  I'm  to  get  the  full  story  remember.  His 
honor  said  so. 

PHELAN.    Oh,  you'll  get  it  all  right. 

(PAYNE  exits  c.  to  R.    PHELAN  goes  down  c.  back 
of  table.) 

DALLAS.    I'm  going  to  Mr.  Phelan 

PERRY.    But  see  here 

DALLAS.  I  am — (DALLAS  enters  room  L.  PERRY 
follows.  PHELAN  sees  them  and  looks  surprised. 
To  PHELAN)  I  must  see  Mr.  Bennett.  Will  you 
tell  him  please  ? 

PHELAN.    This  is  his  busy  evening. 

DALLAS.  I  have  something — urgent — to  say  to 
him,  and  I  want  to  say  it  to-night. 

PHELAN.  He  has  a  very  important  engagement 
coming  off  in  a  few  minutes. 

PERRY.  (Going  to  corner  of  table)  This  is  im 
portant  too. 

DALLAS.    Very  important. 

(PHELAN  looks  DALLAS  in  the  face.    She  drops  her 
eyes  and  he  understands.) 

PHELAN.  Sure  you  shall  see  him.  Could  you 
wait  a  little  while. 

DALLAS.     Certainly. 

PHELAN.  Then  if  you'll  just  step  this  way  I'll 
fix  it  for  you.  (PHELAN  opens  door  L.) 

DALLAS.  (Going  to  door  L.)  There'll  be  no  mis 
take. 

PHELAN.  I  should  say  not.  No  matter  who's  in 
there,  it's  all  right. 

DALLAS.    Thank  you.     (Exeuni  L.) 

PERRY.    Well,  you  see,  Alderman 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  127 

PHELAN.    Of  course  I  see — get  out. 
PERRY.     Since  you  ask   me  so  politely   I  will. 
(Exeunt  L.) 
PHELAN.     (Alone)     Mistake?     Hardly. 

(BENNETT  enters  c.  from  R.  and  goes  to  PHELAN.) 

BENNETT.    It's  all  right. 

PHELAN.    In  there!     (Indicates  door  R.) 

BENNETT.    No  trouble  was  there? 

PHELAN.  None.  Say,  but  I'm  going  to  enjoy 
this? 

BENNETT.  They'll  be  here  in  a  minute.  I  pressed 
Payne  into  service  again  and  sent  word  by  him  I 
wanted  to  see  them  here. 

PHELAN.  That  fellow  Payne's  all  right.  Fine 
little  messenger  boy  too. 

(HORIGAN  and  WAIN  WRIGHT  enter  room  R.) 

WAINWRIGHT.    What  can  he  want? 
HORIGAN.    To  let  us  know  his  terms  I  suppose. 
WAINWRIGHT.    Shall  we  go  in  ? 
HORIGAN.     There's  nothing  to  gain  by  waiting. 

(HORIGAN  and  WAINWRIGHT  enter  room  L.) 

PHELAN.    Ha! 

HORIGAN.    I  understand  you  want  to  see  us 

BENNETT.    I  do. 

HORIGAN.  You've  got  us  beat — we  admit  it — so, 
name  your  price. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Yes.    What  do  you  want  ? 

BENNETT.    I  have  no  price. 

HORIGAN.  You  must  want  something — what  is 
it? 

BENNETT.     Nothing. 

WAINWRIGHT.    Then  why  did  you  send  for  us  ? 

BENNETT.    To  tell  you  that  to-morrow  you'll  both 


128          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

be  indicted  for  bribery — to  let  you  know  that  every 
step  you  take  is  watched. 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  You  can't  prove  anything  against 
me. 

HORIGAN.  You  talk  like  a  fool.  If  you  do  indict 
me — what  of  it?  I  control  the  District  Attorney 
and  some  of  the  Judges !  As  for  this  Roberts'  mat 
ter — I'm  not  worrying  about  that.  A  smart  lawyer 
can  explain  it  in  a  thousand  ways.  (Goes  up  R.) 

WAIN  WRIGHT.  In  any  case  you  can't  connect  me 
with  it.  (To  BENNETT) 

BENNETT.  I  think  I  can.  Still  I  have  this  satis 
faction — if  I  fail,  I  can  connect  you  with  half  a 
dozen  or  so  of  similar  enterprises. 

WAINWRIGHT.  Guess  work  and  generalities  are 
not  proof,  Mr.  Bennett. 

BENNETT.  For  instance,  what  about  the  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars  in  cash  and  the  tweny-five 
thousand  shares  of  stock  at  63  which  you  were  to 
give  Mr.  Horigan  for  the  Borough  Franchise. 
(WAINWRIGHT  and  HORIGAN  are  amazed)  Pretty 
good  guess,  wasn't  it? 

WAINWRIGHT.  That  kind  of  evidence  won't  go 
in  court.  The  court  will  want  proof  and  you  have 
none. 

BENNETT.  Haven't  I?  (Opens  door  L.  THOMP 
SON  enters  L.) 

WAINWRIGHT      (Astounded)     Thompson? 

BENNETT.     No — not  Thompson !     Garrison ! 

THOMPSON.  Yes,  Garrison!  (Goes  to  WAIN- 
WRIGHT)  The  son  of  the  man  you  betrayed — the 
son  of  the  woman  who  died  because  of  it.  That's 
who  I  am — Henry  Garrison! 

(The  situation  dawns  on  WAINWRIGHT.  He  is 
overcome  by  the  meaning  and  the  horror  of  it. 
He  gasps  and  seems  about  to  collapse.) 

BENNETT.  (To  WAINWRIGHT)  Now  you  un 
derstand  ? 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  129 

WAINWRIGHT.  (To  THOMPSON)  You  have  be 
trayed  me?  (Sits) 

THOMPSON.  Betrayed  you!  What  have  I  been 
waiting  for — and  watching  and  working  for — but 
to  betray  you.  When  they  telegraphed  me  to  come 
home  what  did  I  find — my  mother — dead — my 
father,  disgraced,  and  with  a  bullet  hole — My  little 
sister  dependent  on  friends — (THOMPSON  puts  his 
finger  to  his  temple)  And  you  did  it. 

WAINWRIGHT.    No ! 

THOMPSON.  You  did  it.  They  wouldn't  tell  me 
who  it  was  but  I  put  things  together  and  I  soon  un 
derstood.  Then  I  said  I'll  pay  him  back — no  matter 
how  long  it  takes,  I'll  pay  him  back !  (WAINWRIGHT 
trembles  and  draws  in  his  under  lip)  I  schemed 
and  planned  and  plotted,  and  the  day  I  went  to  work 
for  you  I  know  my  turn  was  sure  to  come  if  I  could 
only  wait  patiently  and  work  cautiously.  So  I 
schooled  myself  to  be  deferential,  to  fetch  for  you 
and  carry  for  you,  to  say  "  thank  you,  sir  "  and  "  I 
hope  you  are  pleased,  sir  "  while  all  the  time  I  was 
aching  to  put  my  fingers  to  your  throat.  (WAIN- 
WRIGHT  instinctively  puts  his  hands  to  his  throat 
as  if  to  protect  himself)  After  a  while  you  began 
to  tempt  me  and  try  me  but  I  understood  and  re 
fused  to  be  caught.  So  day  by  day,  I  worked  my 
self  into  your  confidence  until  at  last  you  trusted 
me — you  trusted  me!  The  rest  was  easy! 

HORIGAN.    You  were  listening  when  /  was  there. 

THOMPSON.  I  was  always  listening.  (To  WAIN- 
WRIGHT)  I  made  copies  of  the  confidential  des 
patches  you  sent.  I  took  down  your  private  inter 
views  in  shorthand !  Every  day  I  made  a  duplicate 
of  the  note  book  into  which  I  took  your  letters  as 
you  dictated  them  and  I  left  you  the  copy  while  I 
kept  the  original.  I  kept  track  of  the  checks  by 
which  you  completed  your  transactions  and — when 
the  time  came  I  procured  them — I  secured  the 
proofs,  the  absolute  proofs  and  I've  turned  them 


130          THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR. 

over  to  him.  (Indicating  BENNETT)  And  you'll 
go  to  jail — you'll  go  to  jail — and  when  you  come  out 
I'll  kill  you.  Do  you  hear,  I'll  kill  you. 

WAINWRIGHT.    No!    No! 

BENNETT.    (Goes  to  THOMPSON)     Steady  boy. 

THOMPSON.  I  will!  I  will  I  tell  you!  I'll  kill 
you !  Oh,  if  I  could  wait  nine  years  for  this,  don't 
you  think  I  can  wait  for  that !  (WAINWRIGHT  looks 
about  apprehensively  and  appealingly,  THOMPSON 
begins  to  break  down  and  become  hysterical)  Nine 
years — Nine  years  of  humbling  myself.  Of  watch 
ing — and  waiting — and  praying — for  this  day  to 
come  and  it's  here — It's  here — at  last — it's  here. 

(Down  L.    THOMPSON  sobs  hysterically.    BENNETT 
pantomimes  for  PHELAN  to  take  him  away.) 

PHELAN.  Come  lad !  (Puts  his  arm  about 
THOMPSON — and  takes  him  tozvards  exit  L.) 

THOMPSON.  Don't  forget  when  you  come  out  I 
shall  be  waiting — (Going)  after  nine  years — nine 
years ! 

(THOMPSON  exeunts  L.  There  is  a  pause.  WAIN- 
WRIGHT  in  seat  R.  of  table.  WILLIAMS  enters 
from  room  R.  WAINWRIGHT  drops  into  chair 
R.  of  table.) 

(Police  effect  off.) 
HORIGAN.    The  police  have  come. 

(WILLIAMS  enters  room  L.) 

BENNETT.    Police?    What  police?    (Rises  c.) 
HORIGAN.    The  police  I  sent  for.    I'll  call  'em  in. 
BFNNETT.    No.    No,  I  say.    Phelan  tell  the  man 
in  command 'of  the  police  that  you  come  from  the 


THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR.  131 

Mayor  and  he's  to  take  orders  from  no  one  but  me. 
PHELAN.    Sure.    (Goes  towards  exit) 
WAINWRIGHT.    There's  no  need.    I  withdraw  the 

bill. 

(PHELAN  stops  and  comes  down.  WILLIAMS  looks 
at  HORIGAN.  BENNETT  sits  in  chair  c.  back  of 
desk.) 

HORIGAN.  Don't  you  understand.  He  withdraws 
the  bill,  see  to  it. 

(WILLIAMS  exits  R.    Drops  dozvn  R.) 

PHELAN.  (To  HORIGAN)  Horigan,  I  told  you  I 
should  drop  something  on  you!  I've  done  it  too. 

HORIGAN.    You  ? 

PHELAN.  Me!  I  found  Thompson.  I  saw  him 
with  Wainwright,  knew  I'd  seen  him  before,  thought 
it  over,  remembered,  and  then  went  after  him.  I've 
dropped  it  on  you  all  right,  and  I  don't  think  I'll 
have  to  walk  round  you  either. 

HORIGAN.  (To  BENNETT)  About  that  report 
of  the  library  and  the  aqueduct— don't  forget  that. 
(Up-stage) 

BENNETT.    It  will  be  published  in  the  morning. 

HORIGAN.  No!  It  wouldn't  be  good  politics. 
I'm  going  to  hold  it  over. 

BENNETT.  Oh,  no,  you're  not.  I  have  already 
sent  it  to  the  press  with  the  information  that  I  shall 
return  to  the  city  every  dollar  due  under  the  con 
tracts. 

HORIGAN.  Bennett,  you're  either  the  biggest  fool, 
or  the  best  politician  in  the  country. 

WAINWRIGHT.  (Rising)  There's  no  use— my 
asking  for  mercy? 

HORIGAN.  What's  the  matter  with  you,  Wain 
wright  ?  Brace  up  and  come  along.  So  long  as  you 
have  money — don't  worry !  The  woods  are  full  of 


132  THE  MAN  OF  THE  HOUR, 

investigations,  and  subpoenas,  and  indictments,  but 
I  notice  there  are  damn  few  rich  men  in  jail  even  to 
day.  (HORIGAN  and  WAIN  WRIGHT  exeunt  c.  to  R.) 

BENNETT.  He's  a  rogue,  but  he  has  nerve. 
(Rises  and  moves  around  R.  to  front  of  desk) 

PHELAN.  Yes,  he's  a  game  bird  but  he  flies 
funny !  Don't  forget  your  other  engagement. 

BENNETT.   What  engagement? 

(PHELAN  opens  door  L.    DALLAS  enters  L.  and  goes 
towards  BENNETT.    PHELAN  exits  L.) 

BENNETT.  Dallas. 

DALLAS.  Forgive  me,  Alwyn,  I  shall  never  for 
give  myself. 

BENNETT.  For  what? 

DALLAS.  For  what  I  thought  of  you — for  what  I 
said. 

BENNETT.  You  didn't  understand. 

DALLAS.   No.   But  I  should  have  believed  in  you. 

BENNETT.   Do  you  believe  in  me  now? 

DALLAS.   I  believe  in  you — and  I  love  you. 

BENNETT.   Dallas. 

DALLAS.    I  love  you  dear — I  love  you. 

BENNETT.  But — Gibbs. 

DALLAS.  There's  no  one  but  you — there  never 
was  anyone  but  you. 

BENNETT.    Dallas ! 

CURTAIN. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
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